One of the main attractions is a huge limestone statue of Ramesses II, over 10 metres high, even without the lower legs.

What is often not realised, is that this statue was once one of a pair (the other being of pink Aswan Granite) which once stood in the temple of Ptah.

The fallen statues were discovered at the end of the 19th Century. The granite statue was well preserved, but the limestone one had fallen on its face, leaving some of the back exposed above ground. Centuries of wind and water erosion had severely damaged this part of the statue. The ground under the statue was cleared, revealing the perfectly preserved statue front. The statue lay this way for many years, facing the ground, until a team of British engineers managed to turn it over.

The statues were a great attraction to visitors, but in the 1950's they were separated.

The granite statue was moved into Cairo to the open area in front of the railway station, which was named Ramesses Square. The limestone statue, left at Memphis was enclosed in a concrete building to protect it from the elements. With a viewing areas at ground level and higher, the building has protected the statue well, but it does make if difficult to get a really good view of what is really a most impressive sculpture.

The statue in Cairo has not fared so well. When first erected the square was open and uncluttered. Over 40 years later, the statue is now dwarfed by fly-overs and large buildings erected in the area and it is surrounded constantly by the polluting traffic. Relief may be at hand for this statue, for the idea is to return it to Memphis. This may, however, not be that easy. The old bridges in Cairo which were b enough to carry the statue in the 50's are now much weaker and can not now stand the weight and the new bridges cannot take the load either. Experts are still debating on the best way, possibly cutting the statue into sections or even lifting it by helicopter. It is likely that a cast of the statue will remain in Ramesses Square.