Gayer-Anderson Museum — Attraction in Cairo

The Gayer-Anderson Museum is an art museum situated adjacent to the Mosque of Ahmad ibn Tulun.

The building takes its name from Major Robert Grenville Gayer-Anderson Pasha, who resided in the house between 1935 and 1942 with special permission from the Egyptian Government.

The museum is noted for being one of examples of 17th-century domestic architecture left in Cairo, and also for its collection of furniture, carpets, curio, and other objects.

Also known as Bayt al-Kritliyya is considered to be one of the remarkable examples of Muslim domestic architecture in Cairo. It dates back to the Mamluk Period (1040 AH/1631 AD) and it was built by Hagg Mohamed Salem Galmam el- Gazzar.

It later came into the possession of a wealthy Muslim woman from Crete, and the home became popularly known as Beit al-Kritliyya, or "House of the Cretan Woman. The second house, to the west (the innermost side in relation to the mosque) was built in 1540 AD (947 AH) by Abdel-Qader al-Haddad. It later became known as "Beit Amna bint Salim, after its last owner. The two houses were joined by a bridge at the third floor level at an unknown point, and are both collectively known as Bayt al-Kritliyya.

In 1928 the Egyptian government began to clear the homes, many of which were in very poor condition, away from the mosque as part of a plan to make important Islamic monuments more accessible. The Committee for the Conservation of Arab Monuments objected to the demolition of Bayt al-Kritliyya, however, on the grounds that the home was well preserved. The home was kept intact, and repairs were made to the side walls to strengthen them after the neighboring houses were torn down.

In 1935, Major Gayer-Anderson, a retired collector and self-described Orientalist, was granted permission to reside in the house, which had just been restored. Gayer-Anderson oversaw the installation of electricity and plumbing, and the restoration of fountains, pavements, and other parts of the interior of the home.

He populated the building with his personal collection of art, furnishings, and carpets, and he built a sailing boat he used to collect these antiques from all over Egypt, it was docked on the Nile not far from the house. In 1942, Gayer-Anderson was forced by ill health to leave Egypt, and he gave the contents of the house to the Egyptian government. King Farouk gave him the title of Pasha in return.

The James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me was partially shot in the museum, in the ceremonial reception hall and the...

This Islamic architectural masterpiece was the home of a rich family from Crete. There are actually two medieval houses, joined together, restored and refurnished by Major Gayer-Anderson, an Englishman who lived in them from 1935 to 1942. The houses are well preserved and give a good idea about the level of luxury and comfort that could be attained by wealthy people of Cairo about three hundred years ago. Major Gayer Anderson was a great collector of Oriental art and the main pieces of his collection are on display in various thematic rooms, named according to the origin of the exposed artifacts: Persian, Byzantine, Egyptian, Chinese, Indian, Syrian (or Damascus Room) and so on. The light, filtered through mashrabiya windows, creates a magic ambiance all over the place. The polychrome fountain, Ottoman tiles, alcoves, multicolor cushions, richly decorated ceiling beams and coffee tables give visitors the feeling of Oriental movie stage. Even a few scenes from a James Bond series movie...

Gayer-Anderson Museum is a captivating historic house museum located near the famous Mosque of Ibn Tulun in Cairo. The museum was once the home of Major Gayer-Anderson, a British officer and collector, who filled the house with an eclectic mix of antiques, art, and furniture from Egypt and the Islamic world.

Visitors can explore beautifully preserved rooms, courtyards, and decorative spaces that showcase traditional Egyptian domestic architecture alongside Gayer-Anderson’s unique collection. Highlights include intricately carved wooden ceilings, traditional mashrabiya screens, and a range of artifacts reflecting Cairo’s rich cultural heritage.

The museum provides a serene and atmospheric experience, blending historical architecture, art, and cultural insight. Gayer-Anderson Museum is a must-visit for history enthusiasts, architecture lovers, and anyone interested in Cairo’s eclectic and...