The Egyptian Museum in Cairo: Classic Collection

Standing proudly in the heart of Cairo's Tahrir Square for over a century, the Egyptian Museum (officially the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities) has long been the world's premier destination for Egyptian artifacts. This iconic pink neoclassical building has witnessed history unfold around it while safeguarding treasures from a civilization that flourished for millennia.

While the recent opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum has shifted some spotlight away from this venerable institution, the Egyptian Museum remains an essential destination for history enthusiasts and a fascinating study in museology itself.

A Museum with History

Completed in 1902 and designed by French architect Marcel Dourgnon, the Egyptian Museum was built specifically to house the nation's growing collection of antiquities. Prior to its construction, Egypt's artifacts were kept in various unsuitable locations, including a former post office, where they were at risk of damage and theft.

The current building, with its distinctive pink façade and grand entrance, has stood witness to Egypt's tumultuous 20th and 21st centuries. During the 2011 revolution, when Tahrir Square became the epicenter of protests, ordinary Egyptians formed a human chain around the museum to protect it from potential looters—a powerful testament to how deeply Egyptians value their cultural heritage.