Baron Palace

Baron Empain Palace

Discover the enchanting Baron Empain Palace in Cairo, Egypt. This stunning Hindu palace has a rich history that spans over a century. Located on Salah Salem Road in Heliopolis, it is a prominent landmark in the bustling city. Locals and tourists alike have marveled at its magnificent architecture, and now, as of July 2020, it is open to the public. Don't miss the opportunity to explore this remarkable site during your visit to Cairo.

Baron Empain palace Cairo

Baron Empain Palace has a rich history. It is named after Édouard Empain, a Belgian businessman and Egyptologist. In 1894, he established the first tramway line in Cairo. Empain was a world traveler, exploring countries like Mexico, Brazil, and Congo. However, he fell in love with India and lived there for a long time. Eventually, he decided to settle in Egypt, a place with ancient roots.

Baron palace history

After arriving in Egypt, the baron quickly fell deeply in love and made the decision to make it his permanent home. He expressed his desire to be buried there in his will. The next logical step was to find a suitable place to live. Surprisingly, Empain selected a plot of land in the desert just outside Cairo (now known as Heliopolis) and constructed the famous palace between 1907 and 1911. The beautiful One of Egypt’s newly opened sites that must be added to your Cairo itinerary is the majestic Baron Empain Palace or as we Egyptians call it the BaronPalace Baron Palace features stunning decorative molds on its exteriors. These molds were inspired by Hindu and Buddhist legends and were imported. Marcel designed all of them, but they were initially used for the Cambodian pavilion and the Panorama du Tour du Monde in the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1900.

Baron Empain Palace architecture

George-Louis Claude was responsible for the magnificent interior design, which showcased European artistic styles. The palace was divided into different levels. The basement housed the servant's quarters, kitchen, and storage room. On the ground floor, there were reception halls. The first floor consisted of four private living chambers and a bathroom. Lastly, the roof was where the baron hosted extravagant parties. The Empain family owned the palace until they sold it in the 1950s. Later, in 2005, the Ministry of Housing in Cairo offered the owners land in New Cairo as a trade for the palace. Eventually, in 2007, the palace was given to the Supreme Council of Antiquities. Due to neglect and vandalism over the years, a significant restoration project began in 2017. Finally, in 2020, the palace was opened to the public.

Baron palace restoration

The Baron's Palace has been fully restored and is now open to the public. The restoration works cost up to 110 million Egyptian pounds. The Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities and Culture has transformed it into a museum of antiquities and also organizes concerts on the palace's roof. The restoration included the facades, decorations on the walls, roof, al-Kharam columns, metal windows, and statues. The outer palace has been preserved with its original white color, matching the color of burnt brick.

Baron Palace story

There are several myths and stories surrounding the goblins and ghosts of the palace. The first myth involves hearing strange sounds of furniture moving in the palace during the night, along with the sudden illumination of the palace backyard. In 1982, thick smoke billowed from the palace hall in Myth II, only to vanish abruptly. The Baron, who had a birth defect causing lameness in his feet, later experienced occasional seizures and convulsions due to epilepsy. The palace holds a secret in its basement - the magical pink room, which is off-limits to everyone except the Baron. This room contains doors that open into a tunnel stretching towards the Basilica. It is the third legend of the palace. The fourth tale: the enigma of the Baron's sister's murder, "Helena", as she plunged from her balcony during the tower's rotation. Even now, people believe in the existence of ghosts in her palace room. There are rumors that the Baron failed to save his sister, causing the tower to cease its rotation until his demise. He was buried in the Heliopolis desert, and numerous tales and fantasies emerged about his sister's spirit seeking forgiveness.

Baron Cairo

When to go?
The One of Egypt’s newly opened sites that must be added to your Cairo itinerary is the majestic Baron Empain Palace or as we Egyptians call it the BaronPalace Baron Palace is open from 9 AM to 4 PM every day. I personally recommend going early to avoid crowds and Cairo’s blazing hot sun.
What tickets do you need?
Entry tickets for Egyptian and Arab visitors
Entry tickets for foreigners.
Rooftop tickets: For access to the palace’s rooftop and a panoramic view of Heliopolis, there’s a separate fee. For Egyptians and Arabs.
Professional photography tickets: To enter with a professional DSLR camera.

Heliopolis offers a variety of nearby restaurants. After your tour, when hunger strikes, you can explore the neighborhood that Empain transformed into stunning architectural marvels. It's a perfect opportunity to take a stroll and discover the numerous excellent dining options available.