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Egypt Reopens Restored Main Hall of Royal Jewelry Museum in Alexandria


Sun 13 Jul 2025 | 01:36 PM
Ali Abo Dashish — Ahmed Emam

Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has officially reopened the main hall of the Royal Jewelry Museum in Alexandria following a nearly two-year restoration project aimed at preserving the site's historical integrity and enhancing the overall visitor experience.

The restored hall, located at the entrance of the palace’s eastern wing, now features an updated exhibition layout that combines modern museological standards with the preservation of the building’s original architectural and decorative elements. The project is part of a broader initiative by the ministry to upgrade museums across the country and align them with global best practices.

Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, confirmed that the hall has been reintegrated into the museum’s official visitor route. The restoration was carried out under the supervision of the Museums Sector, with contributions from a specialized team of conservators and heritage experts.

"The project ensures the preservation of the museum’s unique historical character while adopting state-of-the-art methods in conservation and display," Khaled noted.

According to Moamen Osman, Head of the Museums Sector, the restoration included cleaning and conserving the parquet flooring, treating and replacing damaged wooden elements, restoring the display cases to their original positions, and upgrading the lighting system to better showcase the artifacts on display.

In turn, Riham Shaaban, Director of the Royal Jewelry Museum, highlighted some of the hall’s most prized possessions, including the platinum tiara of Princess Shwikar — the first wife of King Fouad — adorned with 2,159 diamonds and natural pearls. Also on display is Queen Farida’s iconic floral tiara, crafted from platinum and set with white and yellow diamonds, accompanied by matching earrings and a bracelet.

In addition to the royal jewelry, the hall features oil portraits of Egypt’s royal figures, including Khedive Mohamed Ali Pasha, his son Ibrahim Pasha, and Prince Ali Pasha. Portraits of Princess Fatma Haidar, the palace’s original owner, her mother Zeinab Hanem Fahmy, and her father, Prince Ali Haidar Shenasy — a descendant of Mohamed Ali Pasha — are also prominently displayed.

Visitors are greeted at the entrance by two statues symbolizing the goddesses of the sun and moon. Above, a stained-glass balcony depicts scenes from European daily life, while the ceiling is adorned with Rococo-style ornamentation and custom-made brass chandeliers inlaid with colored glass — all of which were carefully restored to their original grandeur.

The reopening of the main hall marks a significant milestone in the ministry’s ongoing efforts to elevate Egypt’s cultural tourism sector. Officials say the revitalized display not only enhances the storytelling within the museum but also reinforces Egypt’s commitment to preserving its royal heritage for future generations.