Under Khedive Ismail's rule, Egypt saw unheard-of urban growth as he aimed to transform Cairo into a slice of Europe. In Gezirah, which is now Zamalek, he had the idea to build a bridge connecting Ismailia Square to the western bank of the Nile, much as in European countries where a bridge connects the banks of the city. Egypt inaugurated the era of bridges in 1869 when the khedive Ismail requested that a bridge be built, and the Egyptian government responded by hiring a French construction company.
It was once called the Khedive Ismail Bridge since it was his idea to build it. In reference to its current name, it was named for the previous Qasr El-Nil Palace, the home of Princess Nazly Hanem, the daughter of Mohammad Ali Pasha, which served as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' headquarters.
Qasr El-Nil Bridge was officially opened in 1872 and quickly became the main thoroughfare in the capital. Even though anybody may cross the bridge, the Egyptian government issued an order requiring a pay for anyone wishing to do so, with the exception of children under the age of six.
It is worth mentioning that the four bronze lion statues in Qasr El-Nil were to stand at the gates of Giza Zoo, but instead, Khedive Tawfiq put them at the ends of Qasr El-Nil Bridge to befit the glory of his father’s name. Hence, the four lions became an essential part of Qasr El-Nil Bridge’s design.
The Authority of Roads and Bridges launched a project to rebuild the bridge during the reign of King Fouad as it was unable to withstand the rapid urbanization and population expansion. King Fouad dedicated the newly constructed Qasr-El-Nil Bridge in 1933.