Summary
- Established in 1863 by Khedive Ismail Pasha, Abdeen Palace stands as one of Egypt’s most remarkable landmarks. Built in a blend of Oriental, French, and Italian designs, its architectural magnificence and opulent interior, adorned with gold and rare paintings, offer an exceptional experience.
- Initially serving as a governmental center and a symbol of grandeur during its inauguration for the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, the palace witnessed neglect post-revolution until its reopening by President Mohammed Hosni Mubarak. Over time, it hosted official ceremonies and events, evolving under various rulers.
- Divided into Salamlik and haremlik sections, the palace’s grandeur, reminiscent of Buckingham Palace, comprises stunning halls, gardens, and royal spaces. It combines elements from European Renaissance, Ottoman, and Rococo styles, housing a vast collection of artworks and furniture from diverse regions.
- Abdeen Palace’s lower floors host several museums, showcasing weaponry, medals, documents, and silverware. Notable exhibits include a War Museum displaying ancient weapons, a Peace Museum featuring gifts from high-ranking officials, and a collection of historical documents shedding light on Egypt’s past.
- Situated centrally in Cairo, the palace is easily accessible and an integral part of Cairo’s historical landscape, offering a glimpse into Egypt’s rich cultural heritage. Booking through a travel agency ensures a guided, enriched experience of this historical marvel.
Abdeen Palace was established by Khedive Ismail Pasha in 1863. This is undoubtedly one of the most palaces of Egypt & must-see sites & attractions in Cairo city, and it is located on the street of Al-Kasr Al-Ainy Street. It took around ten years to be built, and it has some of the most fascinating architectural designs, including the best oriental, French, and Italian designs with some rare paintings. The Furniture inside the palace is decorated with some gorgeous gold & handmade decorations, so just being in that place is truly an exceptional experience.
Abdeen Palace was used as a governmental center from 1872 till 1952 instead of Cairo Citadel. The Khedive wanted to finish that palace for the 1869 opening of the Suez Canal mainly to impress visiting dignitaries. It was somehow neglected after the July 23rd revolution until it was opened for the audience following the instructions of President Mohammed Hosni Mubarak.
It was named after its owner, Abdeen Bey, and when it comes to its decorations, paintings, clocks, etc it should definitely be considered the most magnificent palaces all over the world. The palace was also used for many official ceremonies & events.
The French architect Leon Rousseau was the one who designed the palace along with some other decorators from different countries. The garden of the palace was added by Sultan Fuad I in 19251. It cost more than 700000 EGP to build that palace and another 2 million EGP for the golden decorations and furnishing.
History of Abdeen Palace
The Abdeen Palace was established on the site of a small mansion owned by a royal military leader who served in the reign of Mohammed Ali called Abdeen Bay, which was named after him. It is known to be filled with magical, marvelous paintings, adornments, and a large number of clocks found all over the wings and parlors, which are decorated with full pure gold. It was created under the rule of Ismail Pasha in order to be the headquarters of the official government of Egypt instead of the Cairo citadel.
The palace acted as a center for holding official events and ceremonies. The construction of the palace started in 1863 AD which took ten years to complete. It was officially inaugurated in 1874. It was found in an area of 24 Feddans “100,800 Square Meters” and was designed by French architect Léon Rousseau. The decorations were created by very skilled Egyptian, French, Italian, and European decorators. Around 1891, Joseph Urban added a new wing. Sultan Fuad in 1921 added the palace’s garden on an area of 20 Feddans. The building has a cost of £E700,000 plus £E2 million for the furnishing process.
King Fuad furnished four palaces for the cost of 18 million French Frances by hiring a Parisian furniture manufacturer called Linke & Cie. The palace has about 500 rooms, and over time, the palace has been preserved, altered, and maintained by many consecutive rulers. The immortal Abdeen Palace has witnessed a number of significant historical events, such as the opening ceremony of the Suez Canal, the confrontation of Khedive and Ahmed Orabi in 1881 AD, The birth of the Republic of Egypt in 1952 AD, and more.
Location & How to Get Abdeen Palace
Abdeen Palace is located in the central part of Cairo, Al-Malek Al-Saleh, El-Khalifa, not far from Tahrir Square and many other historic sites and landmarks in Egypt. It is easily accessible and allows everyone to get to this magical historical, artistic, and cultural attraction.
It is always better to book with a travel agency that will provide the ideal travel agency that will delivery the finest transportation and the most seasoned tour guide.
The Structure of Abdeen Palace
Abdeen Palace, resembling Buckingham Palace in London, exudes an aura of grandeur meticulously cultivated by Khedive Ismail and his associates. The palace is divided into two main sections which are the Salamlik and the haremlik. The Salamlik was the public area of the palace where Khedive Ismail would receive guests and conduct business while the haremlik was the private area of the palace, where the women of the royal family occupied. The ground floor encompasses the palace’s garden, a rare medicine pharmacy, the former royal printing house, and King Farouq’s office.
This opulent palace boasts several halls adorned in white, red, and green, where official delegations are received during their visits to Egypt. Among them, the Mohammad Ali Hall stands out as the grandest, featuring Arabic Islamic architecture with exquisite marble, granite, and amber inlaid inscriptions.
The Belgium suite, named after the first guest, the King of Belgium, is a splendid segment of the palace, showcasing unique architectural and decorative styles. Abdeen Palace’s distinctive features include exterior stone block walls, while the interior is adorned with marble columns and intricate mosaics. The palace’s interiors span two floors, adorned with ornate furniture and artworks from Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Influenced by European Renaissance architecture, Abdeen Palace also incorporates elements from Ottoman and Rococo styles, setting it apart from other Egyptian palaces. The palace’s uniqueness further shines through its exquisite Italian, Turkish, and French designs, along with a rare collection of gilded paintings and furniture.
Museums of Abdeen Palace
Abdeen Palace is now a famous Egyptian museum with its upper floors dedicated to hosting foreign dignitaries while the lower floors house several museums, including the Silver Museum, Royal Family Museum, Arms Museum, and Presidential Gifts Museum.
A new Historical Documents Museum was opened in January 2005 that features significant documents such as the Imperial Ottoman firman that established the rule of Muhammad Ali and his family and a certificate from the short-lived South American Kingdom of Araucanía and Patagonia. It holds four museums on the lower floors, which include:
1. The War Museum (Arms Museum)
The War Museum, also known as the Arms Museum, is a remarkable institution rich in history. It has been carefully preserved by the descendants of Khedive Ismail and is divided into several sections:
White Weapons Section showcases a stunning collection of rare weapons from different eras and regions, including swords, daggers, hunting tools, shields, gears, helmets, and fencing swords. Some of these weapons are adorned with precious materials like gold, silver, ivory, diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, and coral. Notable items include Ottoman Sultan Selim I’s sword from the 16th century, Muhammad Ali Pasha’s daggers and swords from the 19th century, Napoleon Bonaparte’s sword, and a dagger that belonged to the 20th-century German commander Rommel.
The arms museum, established by King Farouk, features a diverse collection of weaponry, including Egyptian guns from King Farouk’s personal collection and various light weapons. The firearms on display vary in terms of diversity, rarity, manufacturing methods, and models. Some of these weapons are exquisitely decorated with precious stones, silver, and gold.
The craftsmanship even extends to depicting hunting images on the weapon grips, executed through intricate carving. Examples include weapons carrying the name of Muhammad Ali and those associated with Napoleon Bonaparte. The weapons on display in this section date back to the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries.
2. Museum of Medals and Badges
It is also known as “The Royal Acquisition” section, which showcases various antiques and collectibles. It includes a sword known as the “Coronation Sword” inlaid with valuable gems and decorated with enchanting colored enamel that was used in the coronation of Russian emperors.
It was crafted in Germany and acquired by King Farouk through a mega international auction. The museum also displays the “Kamar” bullet carrier, a piece crafted of local leather adorned with wrought gold which was gifted to King Farouk by King Abdul-Aziz Al Saud.
3. Peace Museum
The Peace Museum was established during the presidency of Mohamed Hosni Mubarak and includes a collection of gifts and special items presented to him by kings, presidents of countries, and high-ranking state guests on many occasions. These items consist of weapons, commemorative shields, sculptures, and more.
Among them are a model of an oasis with a clock gifted by Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Prophet’s Mosque gifted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a valuable set of gifts from Saudi intelligence, which include a golden model of the Mecca Clock, and a collection of Qurans from Arab kings adorned with precious stones plus a gift from Russian President Putin to President Sisi during a visit to Russia. There is also a Pharaonic boat made of wood dating back to 2100 BC.
3. Silverware Museum
Added to Abdeen Palace’s museums in 1998, this section houses a collection of silverware antiques that once belonged to Mohamed Ali’s family. These items include utensils, tools, and antiques made for dining, as well as valuable gifts from the upper classes and foreign delegations, crafted from gold, silver, crystals, and colored crystals.
4. The Historical Documents Museum
The most recent addition to the palace’s museums was opened in 2004 which displays a range of important and confidential historical documents spanning from the era of Muhammad Ali Pasha to the last king of Egypt, King Farouk I. These documents offer unique insights into the country’s history.
5. Defender Square
This open display area features a variety of cannons, some of which were manufactured in Egypt during the time of Muhammad Ali and his successors in the 19th century. The collection includes mortar cannons, fort cannons, and field cannons.
