Al-Gawhara Palace- Travel Tips

What to See, How to Plan & Tours

Al-Gawhara Palace, also known as the Jewel Palace, is located within Cairo's Citadel, just south of the Mosque of Muhammad Ali. Commissioned by Muhammad Ali Pasha in 1814, the palace was designed by artisans from Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, and Albania. It served as a royal residence and hosted official functions. The palace features a two-story pavilion in the Turkish kushk style, with Western-style windows topped by oval oeil-de-boeuf. The interior includes the official divan, where Muhammad Ali received guests, and houses a 1,000 kg chandelier gifted by Louis-Philippe I of France. The throne of Muhammad Ali Pasha, a gift from the King of Italy, is also displayed. The palace has undergone renovations following damages from fires in the early 19th century and is currently open to the public as a museum.