Summary

• Muhammad Ali Palace in Shubra, Cairo, is a majestic fusion of Islamic and European architecture, reflecting Egypt’s rich 19th-century heritage.
• Built by Muhammad Ali Pasha between 1808 and 1821, the palace features elegant fountains, opulent halls, and Egypt’s first modern lighting system.
• Highlights include the Fountain Villa, Waterwheel Tower, and intricate interior décor echoing Ottoman baroque and Islamic artistry. Once a royal retreat, the palace has undergone significant restoration since 2018, now poised to become a vibrant cultural destination and symbol of Egypt’s architectural brilliance and historical legacy.

Muhammad Ali Palace in Shubra is an absolute masterpiece of perfection in combining celestial elements of art and architecture with the blessed beauty of nature. The palace is a true model of magnificence that merges the beautiful European aesthetics with marvelous Islamic architecture. The palace stands as a highly complete example of Egypt’s multicultural and historical nature, which gained the title of Paradise Palace.

The palace has a lot of offers from incredible from incredible facts to thrilling tales about one of the most glamorous times in the modern history of Egypt. The palace is an extraordinary love letter to the heavenly golden capital city of Cairo. It offers everyone the magnificent opportunity to open their eyes to some of the most precious artifacts of royal art and glorious architecture that hold great meaning and ever greater tales to tell.

The Golden History of the Construction of Muhammad Ali Palace in Shubra

The palace was created by the powerful Muhammad Ali Pasha (1220-1264 AH AD 1805-1848), where the construction started around 1223 AH / AD 1808 in the newly established suburb of Shubra that was completed around 1237 AH / AD 1821 across an area of 150 acres. The palace underwent several alterations in the 1870s, were Muhammad Ali hired several Armenian and Turkish architects to design his palace construction, which would follow the unique architectural style of garden palaces, which are found in Turkey.

The creation of the palace lasted until 1922, when a series of restorations followed. A man by the name Zulfikar Katkhuda supervised the building of the palace, which was created in a new style and design. The architectural style combined European and Islamic influences, mainly from the palaces found on the shores of the Bosporus Strait and the Marmara Sea in Turkey. Notably, the palace witnessed the first modern electric lighting system in Egypt in 182,0, which was based on a powerful gas laboratory found near the Nile River.

Unfortunately, much of the palace was destroyed during various periods, including during World War I and the 1952 Revolution. Efforts to restore the palace began in 2000 and are nearing completion under the authority of the Supreme Council of Antiquities. The remaining buildings are known for their exquisite materials and rich decorations, and the main building, El Haramlik, was constructed in white marble and featured extravagant furnishings.

The palace was restored and renovated many times by the Egyptian Ministry of Culture throughout history, which was opened in 2005. Following its closure in 2011, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, in collaboration with the Armed Forces Engineering Authority, recognized the historical and artistic significance of the site and initiated restoration and development efforts in 2018. The restoration work encompassed improvements to the floors and walls, enhancing the picturesque lake, preserving inscriptions and decorations, and establishing a connection between the palace and the Nile pier to facilitate visitor access.

Location of Muhammad Ali Palace in Shubra and How to Get There

Muhammad Ali Palace is found in the heart of Shubra which is a vibrant and populous district in the capital city of Cairo that lies on the east bank of the Nile River north of Bulaq in the vicinity of the Muqqattam hills on the southern part of Cairo, which is easily accessible from various sections of Cairo.

Mohammed Ali wished to make his palace in a very calm district away from the grasp of the mamluks and their evil plots, so the palace was made with a great sense of security. Everyone can use public transportation, such as buses or the Cairo Metro, to reach Shubra and then take a short walk to the palace. From Cairo International Airport, visitors can use taxis or private car services to reach Shubra and this golden palace.

The Brilliant Architecture of Muhammad Ali Palace in Shubra

The architectural masterpiece of the palace is a harmonious blend of European decorative flair and the soulful essence of Islamic architectural planning. The design emulates the serene layout of a mosque courtyard, where four shades gracefully encircle a splendid fountain, evoking a sense of tranquility and grandeur. The architectural plan of this glorious palace was centered in the core of a gigantic garden that held marvelous clusters of epic buildings that were surrounded by a great wall. The palace is made of the Saray al-fasqiyya (Fountain Palace), Saraya al-Ekama (Residential Palace), and saray al-gabalaya, plus there is a phenomenal boat harbour, bird tower, Shubra Stables, and Hydraulic wheel (Saqqyia) which offer water to the palace and its blessed gardens.

The artistic style of these palaces is based on many 19th-century French, Italian, Greek, and Armenian aesthetics. It was the first building in Egypt to utilize a modern lighting system by order from Muhammad Ali Pahsa, who ordered an English engineer known as Galloway to install lighting fixtures in this incredible palace. The overall architectural design has a lot of Turkish features that resemble the palace of Topkapi. A number of structures were constructed across the garden, which were known as Saraya or hans in Turkish and kiosks in English, that has Latin roots.

The first structure that was made in the palace complex was a small villa that acted as the personal residence of Mohammed Ali. A true engineering marvel lies within the palace’s embrace – the Saqia Tower. Ingeniously designed, it fulfills a multifaceted purpose. Towering at a considerable height, it harnesses the force of water to power the enchanting Fisqiya fountain, while ingeniously drawing water from the Nile to sustain the palace’s needs.

This ingenious system channels the water through a tunnel and then into four basins, where it undergoes purification before finally flowing into the Sekiya basin, only to emerge once again through the intricate irrigation channels, nurturing the surrounding grounds.

The Marvelous Building Inside of Muhammad Ali Palace in Shubra

The Palace was established as a golden residence for the members of the foreign ambassadors, which was equipped with a lighting system from the inside, as the first of its kind at the time. The palace was made of 13 parts, but the only remaining part includes the reception area, the fountain kios, the basin area, and the garden, which acts as a lively museum. The interior design plan of the palace is made of a great central pavilion that is surrounded by a number of four rooms.

Inside the palace lies one of the most magical chambers, the drawing room, which acted as a dining room until Louis-Philippe of France brought a magical billiard table, which was a gift to Mohammed Ali. All the rooms were heavily decorated, plus the walls of these rooms, which are ornamented with wood panels, very bright colored natural scenes, and glorious inscriptions for the names of Mohammad Ali, plus other great members of his family.

The section of the palace is highly glorified for its magnificence and high ceiling, plus the colonnades that support and add a magical touch. These rooms have miraculous wooden floors which are covered with phenomenal Persian carpets.

Witness the Intact buildings within the Muhammad Ali Palace in Shubra

The Waterwheel Tower is the oldest building in the Palace of Mohamed Ali in Shubra, built in 1811. It is a substantial structure made of strong stones and stands 130 meters east of the Fountain Villa amidst fruit and vegetable gardens. The tower’s eastern façade is 40 meters long, and the southern façade is 21 meters long. Inside the tower, there are four water wells with waterwheels that were operated using machines instead of animals, unlike the common practice in Egypt at that time.

Water from the tower flowed through channels above its roof and collected in reservoirs connected to pipes. This water was then transferred to the palace and gardens. An ascending slope next to the southern façade lifted the machines used for operating the waterwheels. On the eastern side, the tower had four doors leading to rooms with views of the rear water reservoir. These rooms also stored tools for the regular cleaning of the water wells and waterwheels.

The Fountain Villa was constructed in 1821 and is located 430 meters from the Nile and 230 meters from the Jabalaya Villa. Designed by the French consul in Egypt, a close friend of Mohamed Ali, and adorned by Armenian engineer Yusuf Hakikan, the villa is at the center of the complex’s gardens. The villa’s structure is rectangular-shaped, with multiple doors leading to different fountains featuring strong marble columns. Four rooms with marvelous colored glass windows are visible from the corners. The unique interior design includes a central block surrounded by various sections.

The central block holds a large water basin covered in white marble, featuring a fountain with crocodile statues from which water flows. Circular fountains adorned with fish designs are located at each corner of the basin. The center fountains have statues of standing lions, while the gallery above showcases drawings of the Egyptian military fleet and portraits of Roman and Greek thinkers and philosophers. The gallery’s ceiling is decorated with marvelous oil paintings, reflecting the Ottoman baroque style predominant during the palace’s construction. Additionally, the Fountain Villa boasts four additional halls with astonishing decorations.

The walnut hall is notable for its Turkish walnut wood-lined walls and floor, along with a large mirror decorated in Moroccan and Andalusian styles. The ceiling features baroque-style drawings in various golden colors. The Arabian Hall displays green paintings of flowers and roses on the walls, complemented by wooden arabesque screens on the ceiling. Certain sections of this hall bear the names of Mohamed Ali’s family and were redecorated during the reigns of Sultan Said Pasha and Abbas Pasha, Mohamed Ali’s successors.

Witness the Restoration Process of the Muhammad Ali Palace in Shubra

The restoration and development project aims to showcase the historical and cultural significance of the Palace of Muhammad Ali, providing an enhanced experience for visitors and preserving this valuable heritage for future generations. The countdown has begun for the opening of the Palace of Muhammad Ali in Shubra Al-Khaimah, a rare archaeological masterpiece in Qalyubia, Egypt, with global significance. The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities is leading the project to restore and rehabilitate the palace in cooperation with the Engineering Authority, following a protocol signed in 2017. The restoration work includes various parts of the palace, such as the Al-Fascia Palace building, the throne room, the family rooms, the garden, the tourist walkway, and the marina.

Special services have been provided for visitors with special needs, including umbrellas, seats, and explanatory boards to enhance their experience during the visit. The restoration progress is significant, with the Jabaliya kiosk building already completed, and the Al-Fasqih Palace building reaching 99% completion. Works on the tourist walkway leading to the palace are about 98% finished. Additionally, an indigo marina for boats and a pedestrian bridge have been constructed to transport tourists to the palace.

The Qalyubia Governorate also plays a vital role in the project, with 98% of the painting works for nearby buildings completed. Efforts are ongoing to finish the remaining facades in the surrounding area. Moreover, road development leading to the palace is progressing, with surface layers completed on Mohamed Ali Park and the Nile Corniche Road.