The statue was created out of a limestone on the Giza plateau which is on the west bank of the Nile in Giza. Seeing this beautiful statue in pictures is one thing, but actually standing in front of the Egyptian Sphinx is absolutely something else. There was also a famous Sphinx in Greek Mythology. Facts About the Great Sphinx of Egypt The Sphinx has been a symbol of Egypt from ancient times to the present. The Great Sphinx of Giza faces the rising Sun. The Great Sphinx is situated on the Giza … One of the oldest and largest statues on the surface of the planet. Here are some of the fascinating facts about one of the most famous monuments in the Egyptian history. Sometimes referred to as the 8th Wonder of the Ancient World, it is a truly iconic symbol that makes Egypt great. Today, it is Egypt’s national symbol, often used on stamps, coins and official documents. The statue depicts a large, reclining sphinx, which is a mythical monster with the body of a lion and the head of a human. Image Credit: EgyptConnection. Sitting near to the famous pyramids, many hope one day to unlock its secrets. The largest and most famous sphinx is the Great Sphinx of Giza, situated on the Giza Plateau adjacent to the Great Pyramids of Giza on the west bank of the Nile River and facing east (29°58′31″N 31°08′15″E / 29.97528°N 31.1375°E / The sphinx is located southeast of the pyramids. Explore about Great Sphinx Facts, ticket prices, Timings, Location, reviews and more. The basic facts about the Sphinx of Giza are subject to debate such as to when it was built, by whom, and for what purpose. The Great Sphinx of Giza has survived the ages. The Sphinx bears no inscriptions as to who built it or when or why. The Sphinx bears no inscriptions as to who built it or when or why. Fascinating Facts About the Great Sphinx of Giza and How It Was Built. Where is the Great Sphinx located? It was the Greeks who gave the name "sphinx" to the creature. The Great Sphinx of Giza crouches on the Giza Plateau near Cairo, Egypt. The Great Sphinx of Giza is a statue depicting a mythical sphinx – a lion with a human head, located near the Pyramids of Giza, near Cairo in Africa’s Egypt. It was a monster that terrorized Thebes, killing all those who could not solve its riddle. The Great Sphinx is a colossal carving of a mythological creature with the head of a Pharaoh and body of a lion carved from a single massive limestone outcrop; Its axis is oriented East to West and it stands 20 metres (66 feet) high, 73 metres (241 feet) long and 19 metres (63 feet) wide The sculpture sits on the west bank of the Nile in a shallow depression as part of the Giza Necropolis area. Some texts show that the Sphinx was referred to as “ balhib” and “ bilhaw” by the ancient Egyptians. Quick Facts About the Great Sphinx of Giza The Great Sphinx is a massive stone carving of a mythological creature with the head of a man and body of a lion. The greatest monumental sculpture in the ancient world, its body is 200 feet (60m)long and 65 feet (20m) tall. 2465 bce) and depicts his face. The statue depicts a large, reclining sphinx, which is a mythical monster with the body of a lion and the head of a human. According to some texts, ancient Egyptians referred to the Sphinx as balhib and bilhaw. Since the Great Sphinx of Giza is one of the most important statues on Earth, being the oldest and most massive one, here are 30 fascinating facts about the Great Sphinx you’ve probably never heard about. One of the many superb things to see in Egypt is the marvellous Great Sphinx of Giza. Some interesting facts on how the pyramids were built: Khufu's pyramid, known as the great pyramid of Giza, is the oldest and largest, rising at 481 feet (146 meters). Quick Facts About the Great Sphinx of Giza The Great Sphinx is a massive stone carving of a mythological creature with the head of a man and body of a lion. One of the many superb things to see in Egypt is the marvellous Great Sphinx of Giza. The sculpture sits on the west bank of the Nile in a shallow depression as part of the Giza Necropolis area. ‘The Great Sphinx of Giza’ is also known as ‘the Sphinx’, and can be literally translated as ‘the terrifying one’ or ‘Father of Dread’. The Sphinx gazes due east to where the sun rises on the morning of the spring equinox. Sitting near to the famous pyramids, many hope one day to unlock its secrets. Many hope that one day, it might also offer us an insight into the true purpose of the pyramids it sits near.