When people visit an art exhibition, they usually focus on the beauty revealed by its walls and displays. However, on some rare occasions, the building that houses the exhibition can be just as stunning as the artwork hanging on its walls.
Aisha Fahmy Palace is one of those buildings where you can find overwhelming art all around you, even more so in this royal mansion than in the artwork it houses.
Cairo's Aisha Fahmy Palace, known as Mogamaa Al-Fonoon ("artistic complex") and located in the Zamalek neighborhood, was finally reopened after years of countless renovations, allowing you to relive the glorious bygone days of this ancient mansion, if you are interested in you can check out Egypt day tours
Restoration work on the palace began in 2005, and although a partial reopening of the complex was planned for 2015, it was delayed several times.
This architectural masterpiece was erected in 1907 and designed by the famous Italian architect Antonio Lashak. It was intended to become the residence of Ali Fahmy Pasha, head of the army and one of the highest-ranking officers of the reign of Fuad I of Egypt (1922-1936), who named the mansion after his daughter, Princess Aisha Fahmy.
The total area of the palace covers more than 2,700 square meters and includes 30 rooms, two huge halls, a 1,000-square-meter basement, and a rooftop terrace, all lavishly ornamented.
Its decoration, such as frescoes, gilded Japanese inscriptions, and walls adorned with red silk, make this palace a unique place.
In addition, the palace is managed by the Fine Arts Department of the Ministry of Culture, given its prestige as a cultural and artistic complex.
The Department of Fine Arts took over the management of the palace after the restoration was completed, and made it available to host fine arts exhibitions and artistic activities.
The room dedicated to younger artists is directly connected to the garden. It is here that various activities, such as concerts and musical performances, are sometimes held in parallel with the exhibition, which displays special national collections of the works of Egypt's leading artists.
The exhibitions are advertised on the outer fence, and the entrance gate is located just off 26 July Sharia Street in Zamalek.
Would you like to learn about Bibliotheca Alexandrina? It's a place that can teach us lots of interesting things. We can also learn about how people used to live a long time ago.