Discover the Majesty of Abdeen Palace Museum

There are many museums in Cairo and each place in it tells a story, but Abdeen Palace Museum is something completely different. Once you enter you feel that you are living in an ancient era with luxurious and royal details and you feel that you are in the time of Egypt with royalty, as there is a specific memory of a major event in every corner. 

Photography is also allowed inside the palace but at specific times and for fees as is the case with entry.

We will learn more details about the palace together, so follow us.

Information about Abdeen Palace Museum

Since its opening in 1874 Abdeen Palace Museum has been a decision-making center and one of the most important symbols of governance in Egypt, where events that changed the course of history took place within its walls.

The palace stands tall in the heart of Cairo, extending over an area of ​​15 acres surrounded by huge iron fences and elegant gardens while overlooking the spacious Abdeen Square, the square that witnessed the most important turning points in the country’s history.

From here the first features of the Ahmed Orabi Revolution began on September 9, 1881.

When he stood in front of its gates demanding the rights of the army and the Egyptian people before Khedive Muhammad Tawfiq, and over the following decades the palace remained the focus of events as it witnessed a huge fire in 1891 that devoured the harem wing and the Khedive’s private offices while the ruling family was spending the summer in the Ras El Tin Palace. 

It was also the site of a historic wedding in 1939 when the Crown Prince of Iran married Princess Fawzia sister of King Farouk in a royal celebration witnessed by the world.

Attempts to impose British influence

In one of the most tense moments in the history of Abdeen Palace Museum British tanks surrounded its perimeter on February 4, 1942, in an attempt to impose British influence on King Farouk and force him to appoint Mustafa El-Nahhas as Prime Minister.

This was not the last event in the history of the political palace as it witnessed the dawn of July 23 1952, its siege by the Free Officers to witness the end of the royal rule in Egypt.

As for the architectural aspect the palace was designed in the French neoclassical style by an elite group of engineers led by the Frenchman “Leon Rousseau” with the participation of artists and architects from Egypt France England, Italy and Turkey, among whom was the famous engineer “Decorelle” to become an architectural masterpiece that tells within its walls the story of bygone eras whose fingerprints are still present today.

Abdeen Palace Components

Abdeen Palace Museum is an integrated model of royal architecture combining beauty and luxury in every interior detail. It was designed to be more than just a seat of government. Its construction took into account the division of spaces in a way that shows the magnificence of the royal era while ensuring the highest levels of luxury for the royal family and its guests as follows:

Salamlek

It is the official wing that was used for receptions and major events, and includes amazing halls such as the Suez Canal Hall various luxurious salons the meeting hall the winter garden, and the Muhammad Ali Hall in addition to the main dining hall the royal theater the throne hall, and the Khedive Ismail salon.

Haramlek

The wing is dedicated to the royal family’s residence which is distinguished by its elegant royal atmosphere, and includes residential suites the Byzantine Hall the Belgian Wing, and the Small Dining Hall.

Ground Floor

This floor is dedicated to guests and official reception as it contains a luxurious reception hall and ceremonial offices that were used to manage the affairs of the palace and organize official events such as celebrations wedding ceremonies, and others.

Kitchens

The engineers were keen to keep the kitchens away from the main building as they were built in a separate annex to reduce the risk of fires and prevent the spread of food odors inside the palace.

Development of the palace design through the kings of Egypt

Abdeen Palace Museum witnessed important architectural transformations during the reigns of Sultan Hussein Kamel and King Fouad I as Italian engineers played a role in increasing their influence within Egypt through their contributions to huge projects.

During the reign of King Fouad I, the palace was expanded by the Italian engineer “Ferrocchi”, who added a form of European luxury to the historical features of the palace.

Among his most important additions was the establishment of a tea kiosk and another for music in the middle of the palace gardens between 1919 and 1921 which added a charming appearance to the external view of the palace.

He also supervised the expansion of Al-Fath Mosque as he designed two entrances for it, one inside the palace garden and the other from Abdeen Street so that the view would ultimately be distinctive.

The developments did not stop there as the palace museums were established which included rare collections documenting the history of the royal family, in addition to expanding the Salamlek wing adding a new throne hall, and building a special wing for Queen Nazli to increase the palace’s brilliance and royal splendor.

As for the Byzantine hall which is one of the most luxurious halls inside the palace it was designed between 1926 and 1930, and was distinguished by its elegant architectural details created by Ferrucci.

Design of Abdeen Palace Museum

The Abdeen Palace Museum was built according to the French neoclassical style to become a symbol of luxury and architectural sophistication in Cairo. Its design was supervised by the French engineer “Leon Rousseau” with the participation of an elite group of architects and artists from Egypt France England Italy and Turkey, the most important of whom was the famous designer “Decorelle”.

These engineering experiences added to the palace a form that combines European taste and Eastern traditions making it an artistic masterpiece that tells a lot about Egyptian royal history.

The palace has two floors surrounded by a group of spacious courtyards and has many entrances including the luxurious Bab Paris entrance on the eastern side while its main facade is decorated with a stunning iron gate made of wrought iron topped with the first letter of Khedive Ismail’s name plated in gold.

With about 550 rooms and luxurious halls Abdeen Palace was transformed from its opening in 1872 into the official headquarters of the rulers of the Muhammad Ali dynasty until 1952, and was later used as a presidential headquarters during the reign of President Anwar Sadat.

What are the museums inside Abdeen Palace

The Ministry of Antiquities has included Abdeen Palace Museum in the list of historic royal palaces to become one of the most important landmarks that tell chapters of Egypt’s political and social history It includes:

• The Arms Museum, which contains rare collections of royal weapons.
• In addition to the Medals and Decorations Museum which documents the honors and medals received by members of the royal family.
• The Silver Museum which shows the precision of royal craftsmanship.
• The Presidential Gifts Museum which contains rare gifts received by Egypt throughout its various eras.
• The Historical Documents Museum which contains a lot about the history of Egypt.

The reason for naming Abdeen Palace by this name

Abdeen Palace Museum bears the name of one of the military leaders during the reign of Muhammad Ali Pasha and Abdeen Bey who owned a small palace in this location overlooking open spaces.

After his death Khedive Ismail bought it from his widow to redraw the features of the place anew. Ismail was not satisfied with the existing palace, but removed the old building and added vast areas to it then began building this magnificent royal edifice which later became one of the greatest palaces in the history of Egypt.

FAQs

What do you know about Abdeen Palace?

Abdeen Palace is considered one of the most important historical palaces in Egypt, as it was the official seat of government from 1874 AD until the outbreak of the July 23, 1952 revolution which ended the royal rule and changed the course of Egyptian history.

Is it possible to enter Abdeen Palace?

Abdeen Palace Museum is open daily from Saturday to Thursday from 9 am to 3 pm.

How much did it cost to build Abdeen Palace?

Abdeen Palace was designed at a cost of $40,000 a huge amount by the standards of that era while its furnishing expenses reached $120,000.

How old is Abdeen Palace?

Abdeen Palace is about 151 years old, as it was established in 1874 AD.

Finally, we would like to mention that Abdeen Palace Museum is one of Egypt’s immortal monuments as such monuments are what raise Egypt’s status and make it very different from other countries due to its great history, and we hope that you like this article.