The Great Ancient Wonders Of The World Recreated By LEGO

Review: LEGO Architecture The Great Pyramid Of Giza (21058)

A LEGO set 4500 years in the making!

LEGO 21058 – Great Pyramid Of Giza

RRP AUD $TBD – CA $169.99 – EUR €139.99 – UK £124.99 – USA $129.99
1476 pieces
Available from LEGO.com and LEGO Stores from 1st August.

About This Set

Taken away on a trip to Egypt, LEGO presents us with one of the great Ancient Wonders of the World in a microscale form. The Great Pyramid of Giza. For those who aren’t up to date on their history, the Great Pyramid of Giza is actually one of three different pyramids of Giza. But is the largest of three and one of the only ones to remain somewhat intact.

The real pyramid may have taken an estimate 2.3 million blocks and 27 or so years to make. But LEGO’s pyramid won’t set you back that far. Screeching in with 1476 pieces and a good solid hour or so build.

But is there more to this otherwise solid land mass of one colour? Join us as we dive deep into the tomb and review this set.

Set Name

Admittedly when I first heard that this set would be thing. I was quick to assume that it would be a boring one dimensional build that couldn’t surely be that interesting. But I am happy to report I was wrong.

LEGO has not only included the Pyramid of Giza in this set. But they’ve also made sure to include as many details of ancient Egypt here. Such as the waterfront temple (which I think is Abu Simbel), the Nile river and the Egyptian Sphinx.

As always, building with microscale always runs the risk of losing a lot of intricate details. But I think LEGO have made really good efforts here.

Foreground

The foreground details of the model also comprise of a few nice touches that could have easily been omitted to save on parts. But LEGO put in the extra effort, and I love it. Not only do we have smaller pyramids alongside the main model, but we also get a small town, and two different boats.

The boats are designed differently on purpose, because they’re both different ships. The first is the pharaoh’s boat for travel down the Nile, denoted by the gold at the rear of the ship.

Whereas the second is a transport ship which would normally ferry the stone for the pyramid from other locations down the Nile.

Continued

In my mind, the Great Pyramid was going to be nothing more than a tedious slog. But I was delightfully surprised by the duality of the build. The Pyramid is made in two different designs, one being the pyramid in progress, and the other being the final model. The Great Pyramid essentially acts as a shell over the old pyramid. With small scattered tiles over the model on the inside to support the shell without it collapsing in on the intricate details below.

The old pyramid uses some simple but effect techniques to show the platforms that the stone was dragged up, as well as some of the support struts. The interior of the pyramid also shows the three chambers. The King’s, Queen’s and Vizier’s respective chambers. A small but excellent detail I love is the unfinished version of the pyramid allows access to these chambers. But the completed model seals off this entrance, as it would when the pharaoh died.

I also have to note that the pyramid is a clean split down the middle. Which means that you could get two of this set and set it back-to-back if you wished.

Verdict

The Great Pyramid of Giza is a fantastic set for those who have a soft spot for microscale detailing or those with a deep passion for egyptology. But for the everyday person? Not sure.

I like the set, but I wouldn’t realistically wouldn’t see myself going and getting this set for myself. I can appreciate the effort that LEGO have put in, but it’s not my thing.

Is this a bad set? Absolutely not. And if you were thinking about whether to get it or not. I still give it my tick of approval.