Prince Mohamed Ali Palace (Al Manial Palace) — Attraction in Cairo

Prince Muhammad Palace overlooks the well-known Museum of the Manial Palace on the island of Rawdat al-Manial and on the shore of the Nile, shining in its beauty among the rest of historical museums in Egypt, where it is considered the most important at all. It is unique in its splendid architectural design, it was built in a modern Islamic style adapted from the Fatimid Islamic Mamluk schools and spread the Persian, Syrian and Moroccan spirit in it, as well as appeared in the decoration of the buildings of the spirit of the Ottoman style so that the museum is considered a comprehensive art school for various elements of Islamic arts. The owner of the palace is Prince Muhammad Ali bin Al Khedive Tawfiq and brother of Khedive Abbas Hilmi II, born in Cairo in 1875 and died outside Egypt in 1954 and the prince obtained high-level Arab and foreign cultures and was a fan of arts in all its forms, especially Islamic ones and practiced by himself some of the arts and was one of the most famous amateurs of education Arab horses with ancient lineages, as he was famous for collecting antiques, relics and valuable holdings, and in this field he had specialized eyes whose job was to search for rare antiques and bring them to the prince to display them at his palace, as the prince was a lover of travel, he made several trips around the world to fold the continents more than once, and without these a For trips in many books is a unique record of the conditions that were in many parts of the world in the early twentieth century. As for Prince Muhammad Ali's political standing, he was the guardian of the throne after the death of his uncle King Fouad I in 1936 until his cousin King Farouk I assumed the rule of Egypt in the same year and the Prince was appointed crown prince until King Farouk gave birth to his son Prince Ahmed Fouad in 1951. The prince's qualities and aspects of his personality were reflected in his palace, so he went out unique in his style, distinguished from the palaces of his peers from the rulers and princes of the family. He started building it in 1901, then he started building residence, then the construction of the rest of the palaces and sections of the palace continued, and the prince put all the engineering and decorative designs supervising himself. The palace is surrounded by a wall built in the style of medieval forts, and it is built of limestone, covered with rectangular pieces. On the north side the fence is guarded by guard terraces, and there are verses of the Qur'an on all areas of the fence, all of which are executed in the prominent Kufic script of the same stone. Several Islamic styles have gathered in the design of the main entrance to the palace. The entrance is located in the reception hall, and it is intended to receive official guests who were visiting the prince in his palace. Between the reception hall and the mosque there is the clock tower that the prince built in the style of the towers in Andalusia and Morocco and these towers were used for guarding and observing purposes and reporting messages to various parties in the country such as media out of the war and news of victories or announcing the start of Arab months and holidays or orders of rulers and others, and messages were communicated With agreed signs of smoke during the day and with fire at night, the message comes out of the main tower and is picked up by the neighboring towers, then each tower translates it to the officials, and so messages are communicated across the country and displayed in a short time. Despite the small size of the mosque that mediates the palace, it is an architectural and decorative masterpiece that is unparalleled. Prince Muhammad Ali gave him special care, both from the outside or the inside. From the outside, the mosque’s surface was decorated with sandstone brides in the shape of life heads (cobra) underneath a strip of The Qur’anic writing of Surat al-Fateh. As for the walls, they are decorated in the form of carpets of different styles and windows in the form of contracts...

WOW!! An amazing experience that I would love to repeat. You can’t come Egypt without experiencing this little gem. Tickets are not expensive and it is worth so much more I don’t mind saying. Prince Mohamed Ali Manial Palace is a beautiful palace. The architecture, the rich history and beauty of it all is awe inspiring. The palace offers a free guide after the purchase of the tickets and it’s well worth it. We got a lovey young girl called Alaa. An amazing, friendly and knowledgeable girl who knows her history and the history of the palace and the Prince. She made the experience all the more worth it and I’m glad we took them up on the offer. The tour went at our pace and I could have spent the whole day there after the tour just exploring everything even more and taking more pictures. I can’t describe the beauty of the walls and ceiling and tiles. The Prince was a religious man and was very knowledgeable in the Holy Quran. In each room of the palace he has Quranic verses inscribed in and around the palace walls in beautifully decorated and colourful tiles. The Prince was an avid art collector and ahead of his time in so many aspects and the love of the Arts and horses is clear to see. The grounds consists of five buildings- The reception palace, The clock tower, The Mosque, The Residence Palace and the Thrown Hall. There’s also a small animal museum. Each and every room is unique with a unique ceiling and doors. A lot of thought and dedication was put into the...

The Prince Mohamed Ali Palace, also known as the Manial Palace, is a remarkable historic site that offers visitors a glimpse into Egypt’s rich cultural and architectural heritage. Located on Rhoda Island in Cairo, the palace is an enchanting blend of Islamic, Ottoman, and European styles, making it a unique destination for history enthusiasts and architecture lovers alike.

One of the standout features of the palace is its affordability, especially for students. The ticket price is quite reasonable, which makes it accessible to a wide range of visitors. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. While the palace itself is breathtaking, some areas may feel slightly under-maintained, which could detract from the overall experience. Efforts to preserve and restore certain parts of the complex would greatly enhance its appeal.

The palace is divided into several sections, including the main residence, the mosque, and the gardens. Each section is adorned with intricate details, showcasing the opulence and artistic vision of Prince Mohamed Ali. The lush gardens surrounding the palace provide a tranquil escape from the bustling city and are perfect for a leisurely stroll.

In conclusion, the Prince Mohamed Ali Palace is a must-visit destination for anyone exploring Cairo. Despite minor issues, its historical significance, stunning architecture, and affordability make it an...