Abdeen Palace Museum
Egypt
has an abundance of royal museums built by Mohammad Ali Pasha and his dynasty
of kings and princes such as Al-Gawhara Palace in Al-Qalaa area and Mohammad
Ali Pasha Palace in the Shubra El-Khaima area, Abdeen Palace, and El-Qobba
Palace.
Abdeen
Palace is one of the most famous royal palaces in Cairo, and it was the seat of
government from 1874 until the 23rd revolution in 1952. It was the
first time since the Ayyubid era that the ruler of Egypt leaves the fortress
and moves to the heart of Cairo to live among his people. The palace then
became one of the presidential palaces following the decision of the
Revolutionary Command Council.
Abdeen Palace Construction
Abdeen
Palace was built as part of Khedive Ismail's ambitious plan to build a modern
Cairo that is similar to modern European cities. As soon as he ascended the
throne of Egypt in 1863, he ordered the establishment of the palace. Abdeen
Palace was named after Abdeen Bey, one of Mohammad Ali Pasha's military commander,
who used to live at it. Then after Abdeen Bey died, Khedive Ismail bought the
palace from his widow. He demolished and expanded its area to be 24 acres and
build the current Abdeen Palace, which became one of Cairo's architectural
masterpieces. It took 10 years to finish the construction of the palace.
Abdeen
Palace is an example of European architecture in Egypt designed by the French
architect Rousseau resembling the European palace at that time. Khedive Ismail
commissioned several architects from around the world to finish the palace
construction before the inauguration of the Suez Canal in 1869. Nevertheless,
the 500-room palace was completed in 1874.
Abdeen Palace Description
Abdeen Palace consists of two floors. The first floor
includes the haramlik and salamlik. While the ground floor contains the
palace's garden, and a pharmacy of rare medicines opposite to the pharmacy is
the former royal printing house as well as King Farouq's office.
The palace also has several halls painted in white,
red, and green to receive the official delegations during their visit to Egypt.
The Mohammad Ali Hall is the biggest and most luxurious hall in Abdeen Palace.
It was built in the Arabic Islamic style and has a distinctive accurate
inscription inlaid with marble, granite, and amber.
Moreover, the Belgium suite is a magnificent part of
Abdeen Palace given its architectural and decorative unique style. It was so
named because the king of Belgium was the first person to stay in it.
The Palace is also characterized by its exquisite
Italian, Turkish, and French designs and decorations as well as a collection of
rare paintings and pieces of furniture decorated with gold.
Abdeen
Palace is not just a palace or architecture masterpiece but also home to five
exquisite museums:
1 -
War Museum (Arms Museum)
It was constructed by King Farouk. It displays
different weaponry collections, including a number of Egyptian guns that
belonged to King Farouk and a number of light weapons.
2 - Presidential Gifts
museum
It was established by President Mubarak in 2005 to
show a number of presidential gifts and Mubarak family belongings. In addition,
it contains a number of royal honoree medals.
3 - Royal Museum
It contains a big number of Royal Family belongings.
It shows a number of objects, plates and eating instruments made from colored
glass, gold and silver. It also carries a different collection of Royal Honoree
medals.
4 - Historical
Documents Museum
It displays a number of important and secret
historical documents from different eras.
5 - Silverware Museum
It was added to the Abdeen Palace museums in 1998. It
contains a number of silverware antiques that belonged to Mohamed Ali’s family.
