The Bent Pyramid is by far the most well-preserved structure in the Necropolis. It got its name from the strange shape of its front, which goes from 50 degrees to 40 degrees over about half of its length. The pyramid has two entrances that lead to two rooms with jagged vaults, just like the Grand Gallery in the Great Pyramid of Hifu.

To the south of the Bent Pyramid, there used to be a smaller pyramid that was 26 meters tall. The Bent Pyramid was Pharaoh Senefru’s second attempt to build a perfectly straight pyramid, and the first one was in Meidum, about 100 km south of where Cairo is now.

Archaeologists think that the Bent Pyramid connects the step pyramid of King Djoser in Saqqara Necropolis to smooth, one-sided pyramids like the Pink Pyramid.

Both the Giza plateau and the Dahshur cemetery have statues of Senefru. The Bent Pyramid is the only one of Egypt’s earliest pyramids that shows how it was built. The high slope of the Bent Pyramid might have made it unstable while it was being built, so the architects changed it to a more gradual slope.

Since the nearby Pink Pyramid was built around the same time as Senefru, this idea seems to be supported because it was also made at a 43-degree angle from its base. The southern Pyramid of Senefru, also called the “Broken Pyramid,” is thought to be the first “true” pyramid in Egypt with smooth sides from the start.

The earlier pyramid at Meidum had smooth sides when finished, but it was designed and built as a step pyramid before its steps filled in and were hidden under the soft outer casing of the facing stone.

Even though it was one of a kind and beautiful to look at, the Bent Pyramid only partially worked as a smooth-sided building. It is also one of a kind among Egypt’s great pyramids because so much of its original smooth limestone surface remains. This makes it the best modern example of how ancient Egyptian pyramids were built.

 

Location:

Dahshur and the Bent Pyramid may be reached at Giza, traveling around 50 minutes from downtown Cairo and 45 minutes from the Three Pyramids of Giza.

Throughout the trip, you will pass by tiny rural settlements and small villages, which will be enjoyable to see.