Cyber Sphinx: Google launches virtual tour of Egypt monuments

You can now take in the wonders of ancient Egyptian monuments without braving the heat or the journey as Google has launched a project allowing people to virtually explore the pyramids and other historic ruins at the click of a mouse.

Google Street View allows Egyptian history enthusiasts to tour Cairo’s Great Sphinx of Giza, the statue of a mystical creature made up of a lion’s body and human’s head. Internet voyagers can also view Alexandria’s six-century-old Citadel of Qaitbay, Ahram Online reported Thursday.

Egypt’s oldest churches and other famous landmarks are also included in the virtual tour.

The shots were captured by camera operators who photographed the 360-degree images on foot.

With temperatures topping 40 degrees Celsius almost on a regular basis during the summer in Egypt, both the trekkers and the cameras struggled, according to those involved.

“It was a unique experience for us as well, because the equipment really got tested in the heat,” Google Street View’s program manager, Amita Khattri, told The Times.

Google executives and the Egyptian tourism minister announced the launch on Wednesday.

So far, Google maps covers more than 7.2 million miles across more than 59 countries, including India, Brazil, London and Vienna.