Which Side of the Nile Are the Pyramids Found On?

Which Side of the Nile Are the Pyramids Found On?

The pyramids in Egypt are some of the most amazing structures in the world. People across the world visit Egypt to see the pyramids and learn about ancient history. Many of you may be wondering: What side of the Nile are the pyramids on? To know the answer, continue reading this blog.

Which side of the Nile are the pyramids on?

Most of the pyramids in Egypt are located in the west side of the Nile River, also known as west bank. The Great Pyramid of Giza is among the famous pyramids, all found on the west side. Due to various cultural and religious reasons, this location was chosen. If you are also interested in visiting famous pyramids in Egypt while enjoying the beauty of the Nile, make sure to choose one of the best Nile Cruise Companies, like Nile Cruisen.

Why the West Side of the Nile?

According to the Egyptians, the west side of the Nile was considered the land of the dead. Every day, they saw the sun rise in the east and set in the west. As the sunset in the west, they believed the west was connected to death and the afterlife.

On the other hand, the east side of the Nile was considered the land of the living. That is where most people worked, lived, and worshipped. Markets, cities, and temples were usually established on the east bank. Since pyramids were tombs built for pharaohs after they died, the west side was the perfect place for them.

Famous Pyramids on the West Bank

Many of Egypt’s most well-known pyramids are found on the west side of the Nile, including:

• The Great Pyramid of Giza (built for Pharaoh Khufu)
• The Pyramid of Khafre
• The Pyramid of Menkaure
• The Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara
• The Bent Pyramid and Red Pyramid at Dahshur

All these pyramid sites are located in desert areas west of the Nile River.

Why Were the Pyramids Built in the Desert?

Various practical reasons are responsible for building the pyramids in the deserts. The land close to the river flooded every year, which made it unsafe for buildings. The desert ground was strong and dry, making it the right place for building huge structures.

Additionally, you will see the pyramids far from the river, the Nile used to be closer in ancient times. Egyptians established canals to move large stone blocks from the river to the pyramid sites.

Were There Any Pyramids on the East Side?

Almost all pyramids are on the west side. Very few are found on the east side, and none are as large or famous as the ones at Giza.

This shows how important religious beliefs were to the ancient Egyptians. They carefully followed their ideas about life, death, and the afterlife when choosing where to build.

How Were the Pyramids Used?

The pyramids were tombs for pharaohs. Inside the pyramids, the body of the pharaoh was placed along with treasures, food, and objects they believed were required in the afterlife. According to Egyptians, life continued even after death, so they prepared carefully for it.

Why Are the Pyramids Still Standing?

The pyramids are still standing today because:

• They were built with very large stone blocks
• The desert climate is dry and causes little damage
• The builders used strong and smart building methods

Because they were built in the desert on the west bank, they were protected from floods and heavy rain.

Conclusion

So, which side of the Nile are the pyramids found on? The west side of the Nile River is the place where you find pyramids. The choice for building pyramids on the west side was not random. By building pyramids there, the Egyptians showed how deeply they believed in life after death. If you are interested in exploring pyramids in Egypt along the Nile, you can explore our Nile Cruise packages and choose one that fits your budget needs.