Bent Pyramid, Dahshur 
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Built by Pharaoh Sneferu, the Bent Pyramid was the first pyramid to have been planned as a true pyramid, as opposed to a step pyramid. It is 599 ft square and its original height was 344 ft.
The Bent Pyramid is named for its unusual bent angle (the initial 54° angle changes to 43° halfway up), which seems to have occurred because the builders felt that the initial angle was too steep and that the pyramid would collapse if they did not adjust it.
The ancient formal name of the Bent Pyramid was either "The Southern Shining Pyramid" or "Sneferu is Shining in the South," depending on the translation.
The Bent Pyramid is believed to be the first attempt at creating a pyramid with smooth sides. In this it was only a partial success, but it is nonetheless very visually interesting and significant.
As the only Egyptian pyramid to retain a majority of its original limestone casing, it serves as the best example of the luminous appearance common to all pyramids in their original state.
In addition to its odd angles, the Bent Pyramid is also unusual in that it has two entrances: the typical north-face entrance, and a second in the west face that is just visible above the change in the angle.
The Bent Pyramid has a small satellite pyramid of unknown purpose immediately to its south, and an early form of offering temple on its eastern side.
Location Map
Location map and satellite view of the Bent Pyramid in Dahshur. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. You can explore all the pyramids from Giza to Dahshur from space on our Saqqara and Dahshur Satellite Map.
Quick Facts
| Address: | Al-Haram Dahshur, Menshat Dahshur, Egypt |
| Phone: | No phone |
| Hours: | Daily 8-4 |
| Cost: | £e10 including North Pyramid entry; additional £e5 to use your camera and £e25 to use your video recorder |
Sources
- Fodor's Exploring Egypt
- Snofru (Sneferu) – BBC Historic Figures
