Is Muhammad Ali Palace Worth the Visit? Find Out!

Muhammad Ali Palace is one of the most important historical landmarks in Egypt embodying the splendor of modern Islamic architecture and classical European design at the same time.

The palace is located in the Manial district of Cairo, and was built in the late nineteenth century by order of Prince Muhammad Ali Tawfiq son of Khedive Tawfiq.

The palace is distinguished by its unique designs as it includes many luxurious halls picturesque gardens, and Islamic decorations that illustrate the taste of the era.

Building Muhammad Ali Palace

In the month of Dhu al-Hijjah in the year 1223 AH Muhammad Ali laid the foundation stone for his unique palace in Shubra al-Khaymah in Qalyubia Governorate, making Muhammad Ali Palace an architectural masterpiece that Egypt had never seen before. He also assigned the task of supervising the construction to his architect, 

Dhu al-Fiqar Katkhuda who drew inspiration for the palace design from the luxurious Turkish style prevalent on the banks of the Bosphorus, the Dardanelles and the Sea of ​​Marmara.

The palace was also distinguished by an exceptional architectural style that combined luxury and nature as it was built in the middle of a vast garden surrounded by a huge wall that included only limited entrances which added a touch of exclusivity and grandeur to it. 

As for the buildings scattered within the palace each one was designed in a distinctive architectural style, making the palace a unique icon of its kind.

When was the Muhammad Ali Pasha Palace in Shubra opened?

On December 26, 2005, the Muhammad Ali Pasha Palace in Shubra El-Kheima was revived after two centuries of its construction where it underwent a comprehensive restoration process at a cost of 50 million pounds to become a global center for hosting major events and VIPs, in addition to being an important tourist attraction.

This palace was not just a historical building, but it was a witness to important events in the history of modern Egypt present as an architectural masterpiece that is unparalleled worldwide as it succeeded in combining the East and the West within a unique architectural design to remain after 200 years of its construction a symbol of luxury and architectural creativity.

Features of Sultan Muhammad Ali Palace

The first thing built inside Muhammad Ali Pasha’s palace was the “Residence Palace” which was built in the heart of what is now known as the Corniche Road surrounded by several wooden buildings designated for the palace’s employees and guards, in addition to a private dock on the banks of the Nile to receive boats. 

In 1821 another architectural masterpiece was added to the palace garden, the “Fosqiya Palace” which still stands today and is distinguished by its spacious rectangular design, as it extends 76.5 meters in length and 88.5 meters in width.

Inside the palace an exceptional engineering design was implemented as it is centered around a giant water basin measuring 61 meters in length and 45.5 meters in width, with a depth of 2.5 meters lined with luxurious white marble.

In the middle of the basin is a huge fountain topped with giant crocodile statues with water flowing from their mouths, while four additional fountains surround it in the corners. 

The circular shape surrounding the fountain is based on 100 finely carved marble columns giving the place a distinctive royal appearance. Several years later, the “Gabalaya Palace” was added to the garden which still bears witness to the magnificence of the palace to this day.

But what made Sultan Muhammad Ali’s palace truly unique is that it was the first to embrace the latest lighting technologies of that era. At a time when Europe itself had not yet spread these systems Muhammad Ali summoned the English engineer “Galway” in 1820 to supervise the introduction of the modern lighting system to the palace in a step that constituted a huge technical revolution.

Sultan Muhammad Ali Palace Design

Muhammad Ali Pasha’s palace was distinguished by a unique architectural style as he succeeded in blending the European style in decoration with the Islamic style in planning.

Its design was also inspired by the spirit of mosques as the spacious courtyards surrounded a huge fountain just as the courtyard of mosques does giving the palace a distinctive spiritual form. 

As for the decorations they were executed in the style of French and Italian art in the nineteenth century, as Muhammad Ali employed an elite group of the most skilled European artists from the French and Italians to the Greeks and Armenians to decorate its walls and ceilings with enchanting artistic masterpieces.

Among the precious treasures inside the palace is a rare collection of antique paintings depicting Muhammad Ali Pasha and his family members brilliantly illustrating the details of his era and his royal elegance.

As for the real engineering marvel it is located in the waterwheel tower which was built with amazing intelligence to achieve multiple functions. 

It was built at a towering height to ensure sufficient water pressure to operate the fountain while an innovative system was designed to draw the Nile water through a hidden tunnel, where it passes through four basins to purify it before it is poured into the fountain completely pure. 

Details of the restoration of Sultan Muhammad Ali Palace

The moment of revealing the new face of Muhammad Ali Palace in Shubra El-Kheima is approaching, after a comprehensive development and restoration project that will restore this archaeological masterpiece to its lost luster.

This architectural edifice which is one of the greatest landmarks of Qalyubia and one of the rarest historical palaces in the world is undergoing a meticulous rehabilitation process led by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in cooperation with the Engineering Authority according to the protocol that was signed between the two parties in 2017. 

The restoration plan was based on scientific studies prepared by the Center for Archaeological and Environmental Engineering at Cairo University, in coordination with the Islamic Coptic and Jewish Antiquities Sector at the Ministry.

The scope of development extends to include the Al-Fasiya Palace with its distinctive buildings where historical rooms that tell stories of the past are being restored such as the “Throne Room” and the “Hall of Names” that immortalize the names of the Muhammad Ali family, in addition to the dining hall and billiard hall in addition to rehabilitating the royal garden, the tourist walkway and the marina overlooking the Nile. 

The touches of beauty were not absent from the project, as the area surrounding the pergola is decorated with a tree fence that gives it a charming artistic form, with the installation of informational panels that narrate the history of the rare trees that adorn the back garden of the Al-Safiya building to become a testimony to the splendor of nature that has existed in this palace for centuries.

Improvements implemented in the Muhammad Ali Palace

A group of improvements were implemented that aim to provide a distinctive experience for visitors. The royal garden was equipped with umbrellas and comfortable seats, in addition to installing guidance panels An explanatory guide that explains the features of the palace and its history, and the internal paths have been prepared to be accessible to people of determination which shows the keenness of those in charge of the project to make the palace available to everyone and increase the quality of the visit.

As for the “Kiosk of Jambalaya” building all restoration work has been completed and it is ready for official receipt, while the “Fosqiya Palace” revival project is approaching the finish line, as the completion rate has reached 99%.

The development work included the restoration of the old marble and its precise reassembly, in addition to improving its marble floors and walls raising the efficiency of the lake and the central island, and rehabilitating the archaeological elements that decorate it.

The wooden gable was also treated and the domes arches and corridors were reinforced.

As for the tourist walkway leading to the palace 98% of the work has been completed which included the construction of tourist bazaars security and safe rooms, and parking lots in addition to dedicated pedestrian paths and pergola-covered seating areas. 

A luxurious Nile marina has also been completed on the Corniche opposite the palace, in addition to the implementation of a modern pedestrian bridge directly linking the marina to the palace with a completion rate of 96%, in implementation of the directives of the political leadership to develop archaeological landmarks.

FAQs

How much is the entrance ticket to Muhammad Ali Palace?

Its price is 20 Egyptian pounds.

What is inside Muhammad Ali Palace?

There are many monuments, including reception halls mosques, and a hunting museum.

Is Muhammad Ali Palace in Shubra open for visitors?

No.

Finally, we would like to inform you of the necessity of knowing the immortal monuments of Egypt including the palace of Muhammad Ali, the great ruler during the Ottoman rule as this palace was built with brilliance to remain immortal forever, and we hope that you will like this article.