Dahshur Red and Bent Pyramids

The Red Pyramid, also called the North Pyramid, is the largest of the three major pyramids located at the Dahshur necropolis in Cairo, Egypt. Named for the rusty reddish hue of its red limestone stones, it is also the third largest Egyptian pyramid, after those of Khufu and Khafra at Giza. It is also believed to be Egypt’s first successful attempt at constructing a “true” smooth-sided pyramid. Local residents refer to the Red Pyramid as el-heram el-watwaat, meaning the Bat Pyramid.

The Red Pyramid was not always red. It used to be cased with white Tura limestone, but only a few of these stones now remain at the pyramid’s base, at the corner. During the Middle Ages much of the white Tura limestone was taken for buildings in Cairo, revealing the red limestone beneath.

The ancient Egyptian pharaohs were buried in pyramid-shaped tombs the most famous being at Giza on the edge of the Cairo’s city center; but in Dahshur there is another location where you can see pyramids. Dahshur is located about 40km south of Cairo and its pyramids are among the oldest, best preserved and largest Egyptian pyramids.The pyramids of Dahshur show a stage in the development of the Egyptian pyramid-building techniques between the step-sided to smooth-sided pyramid styles.