The Manial Palace and Museum is a former Alawiyya dynasty era palace and grounds on Rhoda Island on the Nile. It is located in the Sharia Al-Saray area in the El-Manial district of southern Cairo, Egypt. The palace and estate are an Antiquities Council, directed historic house museum and estate. Reflecting the settings and lifestyle of the late 19th- and early 20th-century Egyptian royal prince and heir apparent. The residence compound, composed of five separate and distinctively styled buildings, is surrounded by Persian gardens within an extensive English Landscape garden estate park, along a small branch of the Nile.

History of The Manial Palace

Prince Mohammed Ali Tewfik built the Manial Palace  (1875—1955), the uncle of King Farouk, between 1899 and 1929. The Manial Palace and Museum is a stunning architectural masterpiece located in Cairo, Egypt. The palace built for Khedive Ismail’s daughter, Princess Fatima, and was later used as the presidential palace during the 20th century.

the renowned French architect Alexandre Marcel designed the palace. He drew inspiration from various European styles, including French, Italian, and Moorish. He designed it in a style integrating European Art Nouveau and Rococo with many traditional Islamic architecture styles including Ottoman, Arab Andalusian, Persian, creating inspired combinations in spatial design, architectural and interior decorations, and sumptuous materials. It housed his extensive art, furniture, clothing, silver and art objects collections, and medieval manuscripts dating back to the Middle Ages. Armenian ceramist David Ohannessian created the ceramic tile work of the entryway and the mosque.

Museum

The Palace, furnishings, and Prince’s collections gone to the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities in 1955. The Manial Palace and estate are a public art and history museum, with historical gardens, and forested nature park. There is also Hunting Lodge Museum, that belonged to the late King Farouk.

Prince Muhammad Ali Palace (Manial Palace)

Description

The palace’s architecture is a unique blend of these styles, with grand halls, spacious courtyards, and beautiful gardens. The palace surrounded by a high wall, with a main gate that leads to a large courtyard. The courtyard is with marble, and features a fountain and a central pavilion with a dome. The palace’s interior is equally impressive, with grand halls, intricately carved wooden doors, and stunning stained glass windows.

In 1985, the palace converted into a museum, and today it houses a collection of artifacts and works of art that reflect Egypt’s rich cultural heritage. The museum’s exhibits include ancient Egyptian artifacts, Islamic art, Coptic art, and modern Egyptian art. The museum’s collection includes sculptures, paintings, pottery, jewelry, and textiles, among other items.

In fact, one of the highlights of the museum is its collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts. Including a replica of the tomb of Tutankhamun, a collection of Egyptian mummies, and a variety of artifacts from ancient Egyptian temples and tombs. The museum’s Islamic art collection is also impressive. Featuring works from various periods of Islamic history, including the Fatimid, Ayyubid, and Mamluk periods. The museum’s Coptic art collection is particularly noteworthy, featuring beautiful icons, frescoes, and other artifacts from the Coptic Church.

Overall, the Manial Palace and Museum is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in Egyptian history, art, and culture. The palace’s stunning architecture and beautiful gardens provide a peaceful and serene setting for visitors to explore the museum’s impressive collection of artifacts and works of art.