The first thing that comes to mind when mentioning sunny Cairo is the ancient pyramids of Giza. However, besides historical landmarks, a European tourist can discover the unique architecture of the Egyptian capital. Today, let's take a stroll together through the Manial Palace, located in the central part of Cairo.
How to Get to Manial Palace
The palace is situated on Roda Island, about one and a half kilometers from Tahrir Square. The cost of visiting the area is 100 Egyptian pounds (winter 2022). If you're going for a walk with a camera in the museum complex, you'll need to pay an additional 50 pounds, and shooting videos will cost six times more.
The museum complex is open from 9:00 to 17:00, and you can purchase tickets until 16:15.
A Bit of History
According to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities of Egypt, Manial Palace is called "one of the most beautiful and important historical museums in the country." The site for the construction of the palace complex was acquired by Prince Muhammed Ali Tewfik in 1902. The construction of the 61,711 square meters residence began the following year and took 34 years to complete.
The prince personally designed the palace and formulated the project for its decoration. He also supervised the construction works. Despite never becoming the ruler of the country, the heir to the throne included a throne hall in the palace complex.
In addition to the throne hall, the museum area includes a reception palace, clock tower, mosque, prince's residence, and hunting and private museums. On the day of our visit, part of the area was closed. Our walk through the museum complex took about one and a half hours, with a significant amount of time spent taking photos without numerous wedding couples.
I would like to note that informational stands are located in each pavilion, so a traveler can learn about the history of each structure. Upon arriving in Cairo, I found a bookstore with a National Geographic guidebook, which significantly facilitated the process of exploring landmarks.
I hope that the vivid photos of hot Cairo will lift your spirits. If you feel like continuing your acquaintance with this country, I suggest joining me on a walk through the magnificent Baron Empain Palace.
Have a nice trip!
