Abdeen Palace
In 1863 Khedive Ismail Pasha began constructing Abdeen Palace as the
seat of his government and a symbol of Egypt's strength. It was a royal
residence until the end of the monarchy in 1952 and is still used by the
president for official events.
In 1936 King Ahmed Fouad I made part of the palace into a museum to
house some of the objects in his collection. Subsequent rulers have enriched
the collection, which now divided into five "museums": the Museum of
Arms, the Presidential Gifts Museum, the Documents Museum, the Decorations and
Medals Hall, and the Royal Silverware Museum.
Abdeen Palace witnessed unforgettable events that undoubtedly affected
Egypt's modern and contemporary history. The palace was named after Abdeen Bay,
one of the army commanders under Mohamed Ali Pasha. In 1872, Khedive Ismail
moved to Abdeen Palace, leaving the castle, old seat of Egypt's government that
was built by Salah El-Din Al -Ayoubi in 1171. Today the Abdeen Palace Museum
complex stands as evidence to Egypt's active role overtimes.
Address: Gomhuria Square, Abdeen
