Fodor's Expert Review Abu Sir Necropolis

The first constructed and northernmost of the pyramids in the Abu Sir region, Sahure's Pyramid covers 24 square meters (257 square feet) and is 47 meters (154 feet) tall. It and its surrounding structures comprise a fine example of a 5th-Dynasty royal funerary complex. Alas, this pyramid's poor-quality core masonry collapsed after the Tura limestone casing stones were removed, so it's in rough shape. Its mortuary temple, however, retains some ancient grandeur, with granite pillars, stairs leading to a now nonexistent second floor, and fine basalt pavement. The causeway linking the pyramid and the valley temple was once decorated with finely carved scenes (now removed from the site) showing archery and fighting. There is much less left of the valley temple itself: a pavement, some doorways, and a scattering of fallen blocks.

At 32 square meters (344 square feet) and an original height of 70 meters (229 feet), Neferirkare's Pyramid is the site's largest. The complex in which it's set was meant to be larger than that of Sahure, but Neferirkare (2477–2467 BC) died prior to its completion, leaving him with only the pyramid and a mortuary temple that was posthumously finished using mud brick rather than limestone or granite. The causeway and valley temple were usurped, completed, and appended to the 25-square-meter (265-square-foot) Nyuserre's Pyramid belonging to Neferirkare's son, who was pharaoh for 30 years. Although it once stood 52 meters (169 feet) tall, not much is left of this pyramid, as its casing stones were removed, and some of its limestone core was used to create lime in the 19th century.

Between the Sahure and Nyuserre pyramids lies the large family Mastaba of Ptahshepses, a vizier and son-in-law of Nyuserre. Although recently closed to the public, check on its status, and visit it if you can. The structure's walls are richly carved with scenes of the vizier's supervisory activities and cargo boats carrying funerary equipment. To the southwest of it is a double room that might have held wooden funerary boats, which were not usually found in tombs of private citizens.