The Egyptian Museum, also known as the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities or the Cairo Museum, is a national history and Egyptological museum located on the northern side of Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, Egypt. Recognized as the first national museum in the Middle East and one of the largest museum facilities in Africa, it houses the world's most extensive collection of Egyptian antiquities, comprising over 170,000 items.
The institution traces its origins back to 1835, when the Egyptian government first set up a museum near Ezbekieh Garden. Over the nineteenth century, the growing collection underwent several relocations due to flooding, overcrowding, and political changes, moving from the Cairo Citadel to Boulaq in 1858, and later to a Giza palace in 1889. Construction of the permanent Tahrir Square building began in 1897 based on a design by French architect Marcel Dourgnon, with completion led by German architect Hermann Grabe. Built by an Italian construction firm, the museum officially opened to the public in November 1902.
The building was registered as an official heritage site in 1983 and has since undergone multiple conservation projects to restore its architectural details, upgrade display cases, and improve lighting for evening opening hours. Arranged chronologically and by theme, the interior features large stone sculptures and heavy coffins on the ground level, while lighter funerary items occupy the upper floor. The facility also houses a specialized research library established at the museum's opening, which contains over 50,000 volumes, rare books, maps, and photographs focused on ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern archaeology.
The exhibit halls span thousands of years of human history. Prehistoric displays feature early pottery and daily tools, while the Early Dynastic and Old Kingdom halls contain landmark pieces such as the Narmer Palette and statues of Djoser, Khafre, and Menkaure. Middle and New Kingdom sections display royal treasures, papyri, chariots, and items from famous rulers including Hatshepsut, Ramesses II, Akhenaten, and Tutankhamun. Later periods present precious metal artifacts from Tanis, intricate funerary masks, and Roman-era finds.
The museum is accessible by car and public transport, situated near Sadat metro station with vehicle parking available at the Tahrir multi-story lot. It operates daily from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with adjusted split hours on Fridays. Flash photography is prohibited inside the galleries to protect exhibit surfaces, though audio guides and personal photography permits are available for visitors.
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