Sneferu’s Bent Pyramid at Dahshur, Egypt
Dahshur • Old Kingdom 4th Dynasty • Sneferu

Bent Pyramid at Dahshur | الهرم المنحني بدهشور

One of Egypt’s most important “experiment” monuments: begun with a steep slope and finished with a shallower one, the Bent Pyramid shows the moment builders learned how to make smooth‑sided pyramids safely—before perfecting the nearby Red Pyramid.[1]

Angle change ~55° → 43°[1] Two entrances[1] Memphis Necropolis (UNESCO)[2] Original casing survives in large areas
Read the guide Visiting notes Sources

Simplified profile & entrances

Illustrative • not to scale

The “bend” is the key story: the builders started steep, then flattened the slope partway up to improve stability. This diagram also marks the north and west entrances described in official site notes.[1]

North entrance West entrance (high) ~55° ~55° ~43° Steep lower slope → shallower upper slope

Why it looks “bent”

The slope was altered mid‑construction to reduce instability.[1]

Unusual access

It has two entrances leading to separate chamber systems.[1]

Quick facts

A fast orientation for travelers and history‑lovers.

Who built it?

Pharaoh Sneferu, founder of Egypt’s 4th Dynasty, commissioned multiple major pyramids; the Bent Pyramid is one of his Dahshur monuments.[1]

The famous “bend”

Construction began at a steep angle (~55°) then changed to ~43° after instability was noticed—creating the distinct double slope.[1]

Two entrances

Unlike most Old Kingdom pyramids, the Bent Pyramid has a north entrance and a second, higher entrance on the west side—each leading to a corbel‑roofed chamber system.[1]

Where is it?

In the Dahshur pyramid field, part of the wider Memphis Necropolis that stretches from Giza to Dahshur and is inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage property.[2]

Why it’s special

It preserves large areas of its outer limestone casing, giving a rare sense of what pyramids looked like when newly finished—smooth and light‑colored.

Modern access

The pyramid has been the subject of conservation work and has periods when visitors can enter via installed wooden stairs; always verify the latest status through official listings before you go.[1]

Encyclopedic guide

Use the tabs to jump through history, architecture, and practical travel notes.

What is the Bent Pyramid?

The Bent Pyramid (sometimes called the Blunted / Rhomboidal Pyramid) is a royal funerary monument of King Sneferu. It sits on the Dahshur plateau, at the southern end of the pyramid fields of ancient Memphis.[1][2] Its distinctive shape records a mid‑construction change in slope—an engineering “course correction” that helped define later pyramid design.

In one paragraph

Builders began the pyramid with a steep incline (~55°) but reduced it to ~43° in the upper section to address stability problems—producing the “bent” profile. Official site notes also highlight its two entrances (north and west) and corbel‑roofed chambers, features that make it a unique visitor experience when open to the public.[1]

Quick facts table

Ancient owner
Sneferu (4th Dynasty)[1]
Site
Dahshur, Memphite Necropolis[2]
Material
Limestone
Slope
~55° lower / ~43° upper[1]
Entrances
North + West (high)[1]

Why travelers love it

Dahshur is often quieter than Giza. When the Bent Pyramid is open internally, you can experience an Old Kingdom pyramid’s corridors and chambers with far fewer crowds—then walk or drive a short distance to the Red Pyramid for comparison.

Architecture & plan

The Bent Pyramid is both familiar (a smooth‑sided pyramid) and unusual (double slope, two entrances). Its layout helps explain how 4th‑Dynasty builders refined pyramid construction techniques.[1]

Exterior

  • Lower part built at a steep angle, upper part at a shallower one—visibly “bent”.[1]
  • Large patches of original limestone casing survive, showing the intended smooth finish.
  • Located within an enclosed sacred/ritual landscape typical of Old Kingdom royal pyramids.

Interior

  • Two entrances: one on the north face (with modern wooden stairs for visitors), and one high on the west face.[1]
  • Each entrance leads to chambers with corbelled roofs—stacked stone layers that step inward to span space safely.[1]
  • Expect tight passages and steep sections; this is not like a museum corridor—think “ancient engineering crawl.”

Pyramid complex (in brief)

Like other royal pyramids, the Bent Pyramid belongs to a larger “complex” that once included temples and processional routes. For detailed archaeological plans and reconstructions, see the classic publications listed in the Sources section.[5][7]

Glossary (quick)

Casing

The smooth outer limestone layer that gave pyramids their finished look.

Corbelling

A roofing method where stones step inward layer by layer to bridge space safely.[1]

True pyramid

A smooth‑sided pyramid (as opposed to earlier step‑pyramid forms).

Why did the slope change?

Official descriptions summarize the core point: the pyramid began steep (~55°) but shifted to a shallower angle (~43°) due to instability created by the mass of blocks.[1] Scholars debate the precise trigger, but the Bent Pyramid is widely understood as a learning step on the path to later, fully successful true pyramids.

The “stability first” explanation

  • Steeper angles increase outward pressure in masonry and can magnify settlement issues.
  • Switching to a shallower angle reduces stress and helps stabilize the structure partway through construction.[1]
  • The nearby Red Pyramid was built at a consistently lower angle, suggesting the lesson carried forward.[1]

Other proposals you may hear

Some interpretations emphasize scheduling pressures (finishing before a king’s death), while others connect the change to broader experimentation in Sneferu’s building program. For readers who want the full debate—structural analysis, building sequences, and comparative data— consult specialist works (for example Lehner and Edwards) in the Sources section.[5][6]

A simple takeaway

The Bent Pyramid is not “a mistake” so much as a milestone. It demonstrates that the builders could recognize risk in a huge stone structure, adapt the geometry, and still complete a monument of royal scale—then apply the lesson immediately at Dahshur.

Setting: Dahshur in the Memphis Necropolis

UNESCO describes the Memphis Necropolis as a vast chain of pyramid fields stretching from Giza to Dahshur, illustrating the evolution of royal tombs from mastabas to pyramids.[2] Dahshur forms the southern end of this landscape, and it is especially associated with Sneferu’s major Old Kingdom pyramids.[3]

What else is nearby?

  • Red Pyramid (also Sneferu) — a successful true pyramid built at a consistent shallower angle.[1]
  • Middle Kingdom pyramids and related royal burials further across the Dahshur field.[1]

A good half‑day itinerary

  1. Arrive early at Dahshur for cooler temperatures and softer light.
  2. Walk the Bent Pyramid exterior and see the casing up close.
  3. If open, go inside (slowly), then compare with the Red Pyramid’s interior.
  4. Optional: continue north to Saqqara for Djoser’s Step Pyramid (time permitting).

Photography note

Dahshur is famous for wide desert vistas and clean pyramid silhouettes. Rules about interior photography can change, so treat signs and staff guidance as the final word on the day of your visit.

UNESCO context

Being part of a World Heritage property emphasizes that the Bent Pyramid is not isolated: it belongs to a continuous landscape of monuments, settlements, and burials that document ancient Egyptian state formation and royal ideology across many dynasties.[2]

Research, conservation & modern openings

Dahshur has been studied for over a century, with major documentation and excavation phases in the 20th century. Specialist studies of Sneferu’s monuments (including the Bent Pyramid complex) remain foundational references for understanding the site’s architecture and landscape.[7]

A short modern timeline

  • 20th‑century archaeological work documented temples, causeways, and associated structures around Sneferu’s pyramids.[7]
  • In July 2019, Egyptian authorities announced (and reported widely) that the Bent Pyramid reopened to visitors after long‑term restoration, with interior access via installed stairs.[4]
  • Current access can vary (conservation, safety, staffing). Always check official listings before traveling.[1]

What to look for on-site

Conservation often focuses on visitor safety (stairs, barriers), stone stability, and managing erosion in a desert environment. If you enter, notice how the corbelled ceilings and internal masonry differ from later pyramids you may have seen at Giza. For deeper technical detail, see Lehner and Edwards.[5][6]

About dates and numbers

Ancient dates (and even exact measurements) can differ slightly between publications depending on method and reconstruction. This page prioritizes official descriptions and widely used reference works; see the Sources section for details and further reading.

Visiting notes

Dahshur is typically visited as a half‑day trip from Cairo, often paired with Saqqara or the Red Pyramid. The Bent Pyramid’s interior involves narrow passages and steep movement; plan accordingly.

Getting there

  • Most visitors go by private car / taxi, or with a licensed guide.
  • Bring water, sun protection, and shoes suitable for sand and stone.
  • If you’re combining sites, start with Dahshur early (cooler + fewer groups).

Interior safety

  • Expect low ceilings, steep gradients, and warm/stale air in chamber areas.
  • Not recommended for severe claustrophobia, mobility limitations, or heart/respiratory issues.
  • Move slowly and let faster visitors pass in safe wider areas.

Hours & planning

Official listings may publish opening hours for the monument (often daytime hours). Because schedules can change, treat the official monument entry as your final checkpoint before traveling.[1]

Tip: If your goal is interiors, verify both Bent and Red Pyramid access in the same day.

Quick checklist

Water + hat + sunscreen
Closed‑toe shoes (sand/stone)
Small flashlight (optional)
Verify opening status same day[1]
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FAQ

Common questions about Sneferu’s Bent Pyramid at Dahshur.

Because its slope changes mid‑way: it began steep (about 55°) and then was adjusted to a shallower angle (about 43°), producing the characteristic “bent” profile.[1]
Sometimes, yes. Official notes describe visitor stairways and internal access routes, but entry status can change with conservation or safety decisions—check the official listing close to your visit.[1]
Yes. Dahshur is included in the “Memphis and its Necropolis – the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur” property, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.[2]
The Red Pyramid (nearby) is a successful smooth‑sided pyramid built at a consistent shallower angle, while the Bent Pyramid records the mid‑build change of slope. Official descriptions explicitly connect the Bent Pyramid’s adjustment with the later construction of the Red Pyramid at Dahshur.[1]
For Dahshur alone, many visitors plan a half‑day. If you include both Bent and Red Pyramid (especially interiors), give yourself extra time and keep flexibility for queues or closures.

Sources & references

Numbered references used for key claims on this page. Accessed 2026-02-13.

Online (official / institutional)

  1. [1] Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (Egypt), “The Bent Pyramid” (Discover Egypt’s Monuments). Open
  2. [2] UNESCO World Heritage Centre, “Memphis and its Necropolis – the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur” (World Heritage List no. 86). Open
  3. [3] Encyclopaedia Britannica, “Dahshūr” (overview of the pyramid site and Sneferu’s pyramids). Open
  4. [4] Ahram Online, “Bent Pyramid opens to the public in Dahshour” (July 2019 coverage of reopening after restoration). Open

Books / specialist references

  1. [5] Mark Lehner, The Complete Pyramids (Thames & Hudson) — standard overview with plans and context.
  2. [6] I. E. S. Edwards, The Pyramids of Egypt — classic reference for pyramid architecture and development.
  3. [7] Ahmed Fakhry, The Monuments of Sneferu at Dahshur — foundational excavation and documentation of Sneferu’s Dahshur monuments.
  4. [8] Image credit: Wikimedia Commons file “Snefru's Bent Pyramid in Dahshur.jpg” (CC license information on the file page). Open

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