The Royal Carriages Museum: The first in the East and the third in the world

The Royal Carriages Museum is located within the grounds of Saladin's Citadel

When did it open?

The museum opened in 1983

What is the most famous vehicle in the Royal Carriages Museum?

The Grande Alai (Private Carriage)

This luxurious carriage is a rare artifact in itself. It was a gift from Emperor Napoleon III and his wife, Empress Eugénie, to Khedive Ismail on the occasion of the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869. The carriage is distinguished by its intricate gilded decorations and superior European craftsmanship. It became reserved for major official occasions, being used for the opening of Parliament during the reign of King Fuad in 1924, and later by King Farouk in his swearing-in ceremony in 1937. Its last official appearance was at the wedding of King Farouk and Queen Nariman. The museum displays a stunning panorama of the carriage in its golden hues, along with a representation of two of its nine horses, complete with their full regalia and decorations. Due to limited exhibition space, this depiction recreates a scene from one of its historic ceremonial processions.

The other carriages used by Muhammad Ali Pasha and his family

The "Escolet" carriage

used for transporting the deceased, which carried the bodies of Khedive Ismail, Sultan Hussein Kamel, King Fuad, and Saad Zaghloul to their final resting place

The "Bureik" carriage

which was part of the royal procession and is considered analogous to a modern ambulance.

The horse-drawn carriages

Of the "Hungarian" and "Duke" models, used for transporting dignitaries

The "Coupe" carriage

The carriage belonging to Queen Nazli

The "Lando" carriage

Used to transport the Kaaba's covering (Kiswah), and used by the King and foreign ministers to attend the Egyptian Mahmal procession

The "Kalash" carriage

Used to transport ambassadors to the King's meetings

The "Appointments" carriage

Used to transport food and drinks to the palaces

Why is there an entire museum dedicated to royal carriages in the Citadel of Saladin?

These carriages were not merely a means of transportation; they were an integral part of the state's prestige, reflecting the ruler's status and conveying messages of power and order that the Egyptian state sought to project both domestically and internationally.

They are also

An important source for studying the history of royal transportation and equestrian arts in modern Egypt, they represent a vivid visual record of the crafts and decorative arts that flourished during that period.

Does the Royal Carriage Museum in Bulaq the same as the Royal Carriage Museum in the Citadel of Saladin?

Yes, it is. However, when the Egyptian Antiquities Authority renovated the Citadel of Saladin, it moved the museum from Bulaq Abu El-Ela to the new museum within the Citadel.

Were these carriages manufactured in Egypt at that time, or were they simply gifts from foreign countries?

These carriages testify to the development of the carriage industry in Egypt. Importing carriages from Europe or receiving them as gifts from European countries to Egyptian rulers was not the only source. A specialized committee selected carriages from the workshops of leading Egyptian craftsmen according to specific specifications and determined their purchase price. After acquisition, the carriages were transported to the workshops of the Royal Stables Administration for modifications to their frames as needed, refurbishment and painting, and the placement of royal crowns. The carriages were stored in spacious and clean barns, arranged according to their importance and covered with numbered covers that were only removed when in use.

What is the actual area of ​​the museum?

Its total area is 6,175 square meters, of which 2,700 square meters are dedicated to museum displays.

Did the kings of Egypt use the same carriages for every occasion?

The choice of carriage for official events was not arbitrary. Each occasion had its own designated carriage, differing in design, decoration, and the number of horses it drew. The carriages used for coronations or receiving foreign delegations differed from those used for religious ceremonies or royal weddings, reflecting the precision of royal protocol during that period.

How were royal carriages decorated?

Luxurious woods, gold, glass, and crystal were used in their decoration, transforming each carriage into a moving work of art.

Do these carriages document a part of human history in Egypt?

The specialists believe that these vehicles represent historical documents as much as they are works of art, because they reflect the nature of governance, diplomatic relations, and the level of industry in that era. The museum preserves this heritage as part of the memory of the Egyptian state, offering new generations a different perspective on modern Egyptian history, beyond palaces and politics, through a vehicle that was once a symbol of luxury and power.

Does the museum house a collection of rare royal carriages that participated in significant events?

Yes

For example: the opening of the Suez Canal and the reception of kings and foreign delegations. The museum also displays equestrian equipment, ceremonial clothing, and palace accessories, along with paintings and photographs documenting the lives and activities of members of the Alawite dynasty.

Does this museum unique in the world?

Yes, it is one of the oldest specialized museums in the world. There are only a limited number of similar museums in some European countries, such as Austria, France, Russia, and England.

Has the museum had this name since its establishment?

No. In 1863, it was called the Khedival Caravans.

The museum's origins date back to the reign of Khedive Ismail

who ordered the construction of a building dedicated to the Khedival carriages and horses. It was known as the Khedival Caravans Department, and this name remained until...

Then, in 1922

following the declaration of the Kingdom of Egypt and Sultan Fuad's adoption of the title King Fuad I, its name was changed to the Royal Caravans Department, and later to the Royal Stables Administration.

The Museum Decoration

A prominent architectural feature at the center of the museum's facade is a cornice approximately five meters high

It features horizontal lines and curves, geometric patterns, and is dominated by the letter "F," a reference to King Fuad.

Above the cornice is a carved stone circle containing a crescent and three stars—the emblem of the Egyptian flag at the time—surrounded by floral motifs. Above this is a three-dimensional replica of the royal crown.

Below this cornice are displayed ten models of horse heads, showcasing detailed muscular anatomy. Each neck is adorned with a decorative band of leaves and flowers.

What does the museum consist of?

The museum building has two floor

The first floor

It has a large courtyard that was formerly used for preparing and equipping vehicles. Its spacious hall, with numerous glass windows, houses the displayed vehicles and the museum's panoramic view.

The second floor

This is accessed via stairs leading to a smaller hall, but one that is also well-lit thanks to the glass windows. This floor contains wooden display cases and glass cabinets dedicated to displaying various leather sets, formal and ceremonial clothing, horse supplies and grooming tools, in addition to oil paintings and rare geometric drawings that illustrate the structural compositions of some carriages and their parts. The upper floor contains seven display cases and twenty-four wooden cabinets with glass display cases for storing ceremonial clothing, various leather sets in their shapes and names, in addition to grooming tools for horses, such as saddles, bridles (which are placed under the saddle), whips, and torches that the guide carried at night. Also displayed on this floor are oil paintings of princesses, and rare collections of geometric drawings that illustrate the structural compositions of carriages and their parts. The museum also includes a large display of ceremonial clothing, featuring eight life-size plaster figures dressed in the formal attire associated with the carriage service, along with glass cases showcasing other artifacts, such as porcelain figurines and gifts received by Egyptian rulers from foreign kings and ministers during their visits to Egypt.

At the end of the hall

is a large display of ceremonial clothing featuring eight life-size plaster figures dressed in the formal uniforms of the carriage service.

A Brief History of the Museum

In 1863, it was called the Khedival Caravans.

The museum's origins date back to the reign of Khedive Ismail, who ordered the construction of a building dedicated to the Khedival carriages and horses. It was known as the Khedival Caravans Department, and this name remained until

1922,

when it became the Royal Caravans Department. Following the declaration of the Kingdom of Egypt and Sultan Fuad's adoption of the title King Fuad I, the name was changed to the Royal Caravans Department, and later to the Royal Stables Administration.

In 1928,

The King Fuad, I added a new building to the administration's facilities, which later became the museum.

During the reigns of Fuad I and King Farouk,

The department comprised three royal administrations: the Royal Camps Administration, the Royal Motorists Administration, and the Royal Stables Administration. Its buildings included carriage quarters, horse stables, workshops for preparing horse harnesses and horseshoes, storage areas, living quarters for drivers, and administrative offices.

Following the July 1952 Revolution,

the building was converted into a historical museum belonging to the Historical Museums Group of the Antiquities Authority (later the Supreme Council of Antiquities).

In 1969,

the Cairo Governorate seized three-quarters of the Authority's buildings, leaving only two, which were then crammed with carriages.

In 1978,

the Antiquities Authority reorganized the museum, preparing it for visitors and selecting the most important vehicles, clothing, and equipment for display, while storing the rest for preservation.

As part of the development of the Citadel of Saladin area, the Antiquities Authority decided to

enrich the area by establishing an annex dedicated to the vehicles. After studying the surrounding buildings, one was chosen as suitable for museum display. It underwent architectural and artistic restoration and was equipped with lighting and marble finishing. Eight royal carriages were transferred from the Bulaq Museum and, after restoration, were displayed in the new museum. A diorama of a Kalash carriage, representing Khedive Ismail's procession during the Suez Canal opening celebrations in 1869, was also created.

A large fresco painting depicting scenes from the canal opening processions was added, along with historical photographs and explanatory labels. The establishment of this annex museum enhances the historical display of the carriages and connects this collection to a pivotal event in modern Egyptian history, as part of a broader plan to develop the museum display sites belonging to the Antiquities Authority.

What does the museum contain

The museum reveals a different aspect of modern Egyptian histor

Combining art, architecture, and royal protocol, it is a significant destination for lovers of Egyptian antiquities and cultural tourism, eager to discover one of the rarest heritage collections in the Middle East.

It is one of the most prominent Egyptian museums documenting the history of the Muhammad Ali dynasty.

It houses a rare collection of royal carriages and official processions used by the kings and princes of Egypt.

This museum documents the history of royal ceremonies.

The evolution of official transportation in Egypt during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Through a rare collection of vehicles used by members of the Muhammad Ali dynasty in official celebrations and processions.

It contains a number of distinctive artifacts that tell the story of royal carriages.

The museum includes an exhibition hall featuring some of the most distinguished royal carriages from the reign of Khedive Ismail to the reign of King Farouk.

A collection of clothing and accessories for the horses that pulled these carriages.

A collection of beautiful oil paintings, in addition to a bust of Khedive Ismail.

It includes a collection of horse harnesses and related equipment.

Clothing for the staff of the Royal Stables whose duties are connected to the carriages.

As well as a collection of oil paintings of kings and princesses dating back to the same historical period.

The museum also includes

Horse facilities

Staff quarters

veterinary facilities for horse care

The museum has been developed, reorganized, and expanded with new halls, now comprising seven halls.

The Royal Carriages Museum also houses a wide collection of photographs and visual documents. Among the most prominent of these are:

A charming photograph of King Fuad riding a donkey during an official visit to Aswan, accompanied by high-ranking officials, as he was known for his preference for riding only donkeys due to his short stature. The museum displays a portrait of this favorite donkey in the "Horse" hall, along with its saddle.

One of the most notable pieces on display is a silver "rashma," an ornament worn around a horse's neck. This reflects the interest of the rulers and princes of the Muhammad Ali dynasty in decorating horses in the European style, particularly French culture.

The museum also houses a red felt fez adorned with red ribbons, topped with a red felt brooch lined with silk and featuring a leather band—a typical example of the formal attire worn at the time.

A historical photograph of him laying the foundation stone for a school in Upper Egypt in 1927.

Another photograph shows him with his first wife, Princess Shwikar.

In addition, there is a rare photograph of him with his children from his second wife, Nazli Sabri.

The King Farouk as a child, and Princesses Fawzia, Faiza, and Faika.