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Cairo Citadel - al-Gawhara Palace

al-Gawhara Palace is situated to the south of the Mosque of Muhammad Ali in the Cairo Citadel. This palace is also known as Bijou Palace and al-Johra Palace in Arabic meaning “the Jewel Palace”. This palace was built by Muhammad Ali Pasha in 1814.

Artisans from Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria and Albania were involved in the construction of this palace. This palace complex included barracks, schools, an arsenal, a gun-powder factory and even a mint.

A sign in front of the al-Gawhara Palace that it was closed
Exterior of the al-Gawhara Palace
A courtyard in front of the al-Gawhara Palace in the Cairo Citadel
Area in front of one of the main entry door requires renovation
Two lions at the entrace of one of the gates
Windows in one of the externals walls of the palace

 

A fire broke out inside the palace in 1822 and it lasted for two days, another fire broke out in 1824 and it caused further damage. The Gawhara Palace has also functioned as a museum hosting the valuable belongings of the last royal family of Egypt.

Front courtyard of the palace with a fountain which is dry now
An iron structure beside the courtyard
This structure extends outwards from the al-Gawhara Palace
Stairs provide access to the lower part of the palace
These small oval windows are called Oeil-de-boeuf (Bull's Eye)
Missing roof on this structure
An internal wall of a room inside the palace
Old details on the walls of this room still can be seen
Crumbling walls of the al-Gawhara Palace in the Cairo Citadel
Iron beams supporting a crumbling wall

 

It was also the seat of the power of Mohamed Ali and it was where he held his official meetings and ceremonies. This palace is also the site of the Massacre of the Citadel. Mohammad Ali invited Mamluks in this palace for a feast and then killed them when they were about to leave the palace. Killing of the Mamluks brought to end to their rule which had lasted for few centuries.

Lower part of the al-Gawhara Palace
A huge courtyard at the lower level of the palace
It was a very busy Friday evening at the Cairo Citadel
In this palace mamluks were killed by the order of Mohammad Ali
Now, only shell of the rooms remains in place
This part of the palace open into a courtyard
A terrace provides access to rooms above it