The Royal Jewelry Museum: A Glimpse into Royalty
The Royal Jewelry Museum is a two-story home that once belonged to Princess Fatma Al-Zahraa, a member of the Egyptian royal family. She personally decorated it in 1920. An entryway immediately captivates you with its burgundy plush, deep carpets, and carved, gilded ceilings. A small flight of marble steps leads you from here to the first level.
On the walls, you will find portraits of all the royal descendants of the Mohamed Ali Dynasty, along with a brief description of each. Little is known about Princess Fatma’s life and background, apart from her outstanding sense of home decorating.
The rooms on both floors are filled with display boxes showcasing every conceivable object of prestige, elegance, and wealth. The royal crowns and tiaras are the most essential pieces in the collection. A platinum tiara and its matching earrings stand out from the rest. This tiara belonged to King Fouad’s wife and contained 2,159 first-grade diamonds and valuable white pearls.
You also shouldn’t miss King Farouq’s personal toilet set. The set consists of huge crystal bottles with heavy gold lids and the royal coat of arms delicately perched on a gold tray.
European Artistry and Design
The interior decorating is perhaps even more remarkable than the sheer number and expert craftsmanship of the jewelry. Unlike most private royal family houses in Egypt, which often show Islamic influences, this villa is entirely a product of European aesthetics.
Egyptian, Italian, and French artisans hand-painted every room’s ceiling. Some of the second-floor ceilings feature scenes from Greek mythology, but most depict scenes from classic French and Italian love stories in vibrant colors. The villa’s walls are either paneled in oak or chestnut wood or painted with massive scenes from French medieval stories.
The bathrooms on all floors are genuine works of beauty. Tiny white porcelain pieces from Sevres, a renowned French porcelain company, line the halls and toilets. On the walls of the two large bathrooms, hand-painted scenes show swimming nymphs, images from the well-known Fables of La Fontaine, and fairytales on white backgrounds with brilliant colors.
However, the stained-glass panels in the main hall of the first floor, the stairway, and the first-floor bathroom are the villa’s centerpiece. Prominent French artists of the time commissioned these masterpieces, which tell the story of great European love stories.
Final Thoughts
Unfortunately, the property had been stripped of its previous owner’s possessions and furniture. It would have been fascinating to see how the Princess decorated such a home. The garden is not large, but it is well-kept. The small, well-stocked souvenir shop sells cards, books on various periods of Egyptian history, and brilliantly colored gift items at a reasonable price.
Royal Jewelry Museum’s Opening hours
The Royal Jewelry Museum is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Fridays, when it is open from 10 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Royal Jewelry Museum address: 27 Ahmed Yehia, San Stefano, El Raml 2, Alexandria Governorate 5451010
The Royal Jewelry Museum ticket price:
Foreigners: Adult: 180 EGP – Student: 90 EGP
Egyptian/Arab: Adult: 20 EGP – Studen: 5 EGP
