Royal Jewelry Museum in Alexandria Reopens Its Grand Hall
After Restoration and a New Museum Display Plan
In a significant step towards enhancing the visitor experience at Egypt’s museums and archaeological sites, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has announced the reopening of the Main Hall at the Royal Jewelry Museum in Alexandria, following a nearly two-year comprehensive restoration and re-display project.
The grand hall, located at the entrance of the palace’s eastern wing, has been carefully restored with full respect for its historical and architectural integrity. The museum’s display has also been modernized in accordance with the latest international standards in heritage conservation and exhibition design, ensuring the preservation of the hall’s original character while enhancing the presentation of its priceless artifacts.
Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, confirmed that the Main Hall has now been re-integrated into the museum’s official visitor route. The restoration work was supervised by the Museum Sector and executed by a specialized team of conservators and experts from the Supreme Council of Antiquities.
According to Moamen Othman, Head of the Museums Sector at the Council, the restoration included meticulous cleaning and conservation of the hall’s parquet flooring, sterilization and repair of the historic wooden elements, and replacement of damaged components with replicas made to match the original specifications. The hall’s walls were also cleaned, and its original display cases were restored and returned to their historical positions. In addition, a new lighting system was installed to highlight the aesthetic brilliance of the displayed treasures.
Reham Shaaban, Director of the Royal Jewelry Museum, emphasized that the restored Main Hall now showcases some of the museum’s most magnificent and valuable royal possessions. Among the highlights is the platinum crown of Princess Chewikar, the first wife of King Fuad I, encrusted with 2,159 diamonds and natural pearls, alongside a matching earring. Also on display is Queen Farida’s floral tiara, crafted from platinum and adorned with white and yellow diamonds, complemented by a matching bracelet and earring set.
The hall’s walls are adorned with oil portrait paintings of prominent members of the Muhammad Ali Dynasty, including Khedive Mohamed Ali Pasha, his son Ibrahim Pasha, and Ali Pasha. The collection also features a portrait of Princess Fatma Haidar, the palace’s original owner, a painting of her mother Zeinab Hanem Fahmy, and a photograph of her father Prince Ali Haidar Shenassi, a descendant of Mohamed Ali Pasha.
As visitors enter the hall, they are greeted by two statues of young women symbolizing the goddesses of the sun and the moon. Above, a stunning stained-glass balcony overlooks the room, depicting lively scenes from European daily life. The Rococo-style ceiling, lavishly decorated, features luxurious brass chandeliers fitted with colored stained, glass panels, custom-made for the palace, reflecting its aristocratic elegance.
This project forms part of the Ministry’s wider strategic plan to enhance museum infrastructure and update exhibition narratives to align with global trends in museology. It aims not only to preserve Egypt’s cultural heritage but also to elevate the visitor experience and reveal the splendor and historical richness of the treasures housed within Egypt’s museums.
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