Nagib Mahfouz Museum — Attraction in Cairo

The Naguib Mahfouz Museum in Cairo is a significant cultural landmark dedicated to the life and works of Egypt's only Nobel laureate in Literature, Naguib Mahfouz. It offers a deep dive into the world of this acclaimed novelist, whose writings often portrayed the diverse social life of Egyptians, particularly in Old Cairo where he was born and raised. The museum is housed in the Muhammad Bek Abul-Dahab Complex (also known as Tekeyet Abu El-Dahab) in the Al-Gamaleya district of Old Cairo. This historic building, built in 1774 under Ottoman rule, is located near the main entrance of Al-Azhar Mosque. Its location is particularly significant as it's close to the area that inspired many of Mahfouz's famous novels. The museum is a two-story building that provides a comprehensive look at Mahfouz's legacy. First Floor: Features halls for seminars, a visual/sound library, a public library, and a library for critical research, including studies on Mahfouz's works. Second Floor: Includes a pavilion displaying the medals and certificates Mahfouz received (though his Nobel medal remains with his family), a pavilion with his personal belongings and handwritten papers, and a "hall of literature" showcasing his complete works in various editions and translations. Thematic Halls: Some halls are named after his famous works, and there's often a film showcasing the neighborhood he grew up in. Historical Setting: The building itself is a part of the experience, reflecting the historical spirit of Old Cairo that was so central to Mahfouz's writing. The Naguib Mahfouz Museum is generally open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily. Ticket Prices: Adults: EGP 100 - Students: EGP 50 For more information, WhatsApp...

A must see. The only museum dedicated to Naguib Mahfouz, the only writer writing in Arabic to win the Nobel Prize in literature, and the second African to win this award as well. He's one of the all time most prolific novelists and among the most widely read novelists in the region, with a career spanning 5 decades. The museum seems modestly placed in an old alley in old Cairo. Once inside, you'll find it is surprisingly well organized. Two floors of rooms dedicated to specific aspects of the larger than life writer, from his alley to his office, from movie adaptations to his career in cinema, from awards to the attempted assassination that left him near blind and incapable of holding a pen, yet he had one last masterpiece to write before his death, defying terror. The sections on the films adapted from his novels is marvelous. There is another section where you watch a video interview with him. There is a room where his desk and bookshelf are in display, bringing you closer to the den where this genius helped shape modern Arabic literature. The museum itself is set in a "tekiyya," the word used for dorms as part of an endowment gifted usually by a rich person for students of Al Azhar or Cairo schools and University. The dorms are adjacent to a Mamluk mosque, which is among the oldest in Cairo. Mahfouz would have loved this museum. It's like his own novels: a hidden gem in...

The museum is located on the other side of Al Azhar mosque, in Al Ghoury, before Azhar Park. There’s only one sign to get there (attached). The GPS location is not correct. Don’t follow the location on Google maps. We had to go back and forth multiple times till we found the museum. Museum is open everyday from 9am to 5pm except Tuesdays. On Friday avoid prayer time (around noon) because the museum guide is away praying and you can’t access the museum till he comes back and provides tickets and tour. The museum is on the 2nd floor of “Tekeyyet Abdul Dahab” building. There are around 7 rooms open to visitors: childhood, career, office, awards, filmography, assassination attempt and Nobel prize. On the first floor there’s a book store where you can buy his books in Arabic and in English. Unfortunately the AC was working inly in one room and in at bookstore. Unfortunately the phone numbers on Google maps and on the museum webpage are wrong and on Facebook no one replied to my messages. But despite all odds we managed to get there and we were happy to...