English
the Museum of Royal Jewellery in Alexandria
Location and Historical Context:
The Royal Jewelry Museum (Arabic: متحف المجوهرات) is an art and history museum located in the Zizenia neighborhood of Alexandria, Egypt.
It occupies the former palace of Princess Fatma Al-Zahra’, a member of the Egyptian royal family.
The museum’s collection primarily focuses on the jewels and jewelry worn by queens and princesses of the Muhammad Ali Dynasty, which ruled Egypt for nearly 150 years from 1805 until the 1952 movement12.
The Marvelous Palace:
The building itself is a rare piece of architectural art constructed in the 19th century.
Princess Fatma Al-Zahra’ completed the western wing of the palace before her death, and her daughter added an eastern wing, connecting the two with a beautiful corridor.
The palace served as a summer residence until July 1952 when the princess’s property was confiscated. She was later allowed to reside there until 1964 when she ceded the palace to the Egyptian government and moved to Cairo.
Princess Fatma Al-Zahra’ passed away in 19832.
Jewelry and Art Treasures:
The museum houses a remarkable collection of jewelry, including pieces worn by the royal family.
Among the exhibits are a diamond-encrusted necklace belonging to the dynasty’s founder, Mohamed Ali Pasha, a golden chessboard, and gold binoculars adorned with diamonds, sapphires, and emeralds.
The museum also displays stunning jewelry crafted by prominent European designers and worn by queens and princesses of the royal family.
In addition to jewelry, the museum features 19th-century paintings, statues, and other decorative arts13.
Architectural Details:
The palace, spanning 4185 square meters (approximately 45,050 square feet), was built in 1919.
Its walls and ceilings are adorned with oil paintings depicting historical scenes and natural beauty.
The palace windows showcase lead-inlaid glass artwork portraying European-style historical scenes.
The serene gardens surrounding the palace add to its allure2.
In summary, the Royal Jewelry Museum offers a captivating journey through Egypt’s royal heritage, combining opulent jewelry with architectural splendor and historical artifacts4. 💎🏰🎨
