Princess Khadija Palace in Helwan to become museum of religion

CAIRO - 28 May 2018: A ceremony was held on Sunday to mark the handover of Princess Khadija Palace from Cairo governorate to Bibliotheca Alexandria in order to turn it into a cultural center and a religions civilization museum.

The handover was made by Cairo Governor Atef Abdel Hamid, in the presence of Antiquities Minister Khaled Anany - on behalf of Prime Minister Sherif Ismail - Social Solidarity Minister Ghada Waly and other officials and the ambassadors of Austria, Switzerland and Germany.

"The prime minister attaches great importance to the museum that embodies the path of Egypt's religious history as well as depth of religious tolerance among faiths in Egypt," said Antiquities Minister Anany said.

"The palace will be a beacon of reviving Egypt's heritage,

"Bibliotheca Alexandria seeks reviving the history of the Helwan district," he added, pointing out to the unique status of the museum that displays faiths throughout history."

Cairo governor, for his part, said that the renovation of the place has been finalized at a cost of EGP 28 million.

A few months ago, Cairo governorate signed a protocol with Bibliotheca Alexandria to determine the cultural fate of the architectural gem through coordination with authorities concerned to do so.

Princess Khadija is the daughter of Khedive Tewfik, who was the sixth ruler from the Muhammad Ali Dynasty and reigned over Egypt from 1879 to 1892.

The palace was built in 1895 in Helwan, but was given away by Princess Khadija to the Ministry of Health and Population to later become a hospital.

The 500-square meter palace has a western pavilion built on 300 square meters, besides a northern one built on 200 square meters.

It houses 50 halls, sized 25-100 square meters, along with the main hall that accommodates 120 persons.