Ras El-Tin Palace

About Ras el-Tin Palace

On one side of the shores of Alexandria city, you will find the oldest royal Egyptian palace, Ras El- Tin Palace. This charming building was founded by Muhammad Ali Pasha to be one of the important royal palaces in Egypt. Muhammad Ali Pasha spent around 11 years to finish the construction of this unique palace, the official opening was in 1847

This palace is one of the few palaces in Egypt that witnesses the entire Monarchy period starting from the first rule of Muhammad Ali Pasha until the leave of King Farouk from Egypt after the famous revolution of 1952.

The construction of Ras El Tin Palace was built in the same style of Abdeen Palace which is the largest royal Palace in Cairo, both are built in the Italian style plus some architectural elements belong to this era.

Let me tell you how huge this palace is, the foundation of Ras El Tin Palace was built on 17,000 square, and 12 acres Fig Trees Gardens. The kings at that time used the palace as their main residence and the government headquarters at the same time, especially during the summer season.

What is Inside Ras el-Tin Palace

Inside Ras el-Tin Palace you will find a huge beautiful garden full of rare species of plants plus a private railway station for the royal Family. There is also a marine pool built by King Farouk that links the palace with the Mediterranean sea.

In a location that’s very near to this huge pool you will find the royal rest house. This place hosts a bedroom, huge kitchen full of all the equipment needed for the cook, and many extra rooms for all the staff inside the house.

The palace also used to host the hall of the throne which include:

• Two different salons
• one big dining room
• the feasts hall
• a special hall for the ministers’
• One spectacular salon that overlooks on El Mahrousa harbor
• The king’s main suite with his private bathroom

The modern palace today includes

The modern palace you’re seeing today has changed many times from the day of its construction and until today. King Farouk was one of the famous kings that made huge changes in Ras el-Tin Palace.

After all the changes happened in the palace, there is only the eastern gate that remains until today with its original building. This gate is made out of six granite pillars with Egyptian crowns on the top. The lintels of this palace were embellished with Quranic phrases made in copper to give the spectacular design you’re seeing today.

Today, you will see 3 reception halls on the first floor of the palace, each hall has a unique color: red, white and green. Let’s get into the depths of the palace and see the private office of the king and the unique dining room. You can also find one conference hall for important meetings and many private rooms decorated with royal gold and silver.

As King Farouk was the recreator of the palace, you will find a private wing for him including his bedroom, bathroom  and the main office. This wing also hosts a large salon and one small dining room that looks to the amazing views of the sea. All these halls and rooms are exactly in the same style of Abdine palace.

Let’s get to the ground floor of the palace where you will find the haramlek (which is the Women’s private wing) and also there is a section there for the servants.

If you have a look at the basement of the palace, you will find a big hall full of stairs that leads to the palace docks where you can see Al-Mahrousa yacht. This yacht was the only transportation that the king and the royal family took to reach Italy after the 1952 Revolution.

While touring Ras el-Tin Palace, don’t miss passing by the Gothic hall which is a very unique architectural piece in this palace made by the instructions of king Fouad.

Finally, you will find outside lots of other buildings that were used by the palace staff and you can see them today.

This piece of art is a must visit for all the people who love the Egyptian history as it hosts various prints from different eras of royal history in Egypt. Ras el-Tin Palace is located in Alexandria city which is one of the most qunieu cities in Egypt, a unique palace should be located in a very unique part of the world. This time the site and the location of the site is breathtaking. Add Ras el-Tin Palace on your to do list now.