Sherif Fathi, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, inspected the Baron Empain Palace in the Heliopolis district, in order to determine the efficiency and quality of services provided to visitors and follow up on the activities of the Creative Cultural Center in it to raise archaeological and tourism awareness for all societal groups.
He accompanied the Minister during The tour was conducted by Dr. Gamal Mustafa, Head of the Islamic, Coptic and Jewish Antiquities Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, and Dr. Basma Selim, Supervisor of the Baron Palace.
This tour comes within the framework of the tours undertaken by the Minister of Tourism. And antiquities periodically to inspect museums and archaeological sites across the republic and follow up on the maintenance and restoration work being done in them and raise the efficiency of services provided to improve the tourist experience and stimulate visiting traffic from Egyptians and tourists.
The tour included a visit to the museum garden of the palace, where it is displayed The oldest trams that were the main means of transportation within the Heliopolis neighborhood during the twentieth century, which over the ages became one of the main landmarks of the neighborhood, in addition to the various halls of the palace, where the Minister listened to a detailed explanation of the history of the palace and the restoration project that It was completed, and the periodic maintenance work is currently being done in it. He also watched the documentary film shown in one of the palace’s halls, which tells the history of the Heliopolis neighborhood and the restoration work that took place in the palace until His Excellency the President of the Republic opened it in 2020.
It also included The tour is the Cultorama Hall and the permanent exhibition in the palace, which presents the story of the Heliopolis neighborhood since its inception by Baron Empain in the early twentieth century, by displaying a variety of photos, archival documents, illustrations, and maps. Addresses related to the history of the Heliopolis neighborhood through different eras, in addition to its most important heritage landmarks.
The Minister also Climbing to the roof of the palace to see the entire panorama of the palace and inspect the palace’s external lighting systems.
The tour also included the Minister’s inspection of the cultural and educational activities and workshops offered by the Creative Cultural Center in the palace to raise awareness of children and adults and teach female breadwinners about traditional and heritage crafts, in addition to Holding art exhibitions and hosting cultural salons.
Mr. Sherif Fathi met with a group of children who came to the palace as part of the artistic and educational workshops organized by the center to raise tourism and archaeological awareness among citizens. At all ages, the Minister was keen to talk to these children to get their opinions on the activities provided to them at the center and their impressions of their visit to the palace. He also participated with them in some of the artistic, educational and recreational activities that they carry out, expressing his happiness at the keenness of the parents of these children to visit the archaeological sites. And participate in awareness-raising activities during their vacation period to learn about their country’s ancient civilization and in a way that works to raise their archaeological and tourism awareness and instill concepts of belonging and love. Homeland.
At the end of the tour, Mr. Sherif Fathi directed the need to raise the efficiency of the services provided in the palace to improve the tourist experience there and attract more visitors to it.
This Mr. Sherif Fathi met with a group of tourists from Britain. And Slovakia, who were keen to visit the palace during their stay in Cairo as part of their tourism program in Egypt through a Nile Cruise trip Between Luxor and Aswan, where he was keen to talk to the tourists and listen to their opinions and impressions about visiting Egypt in general and the tourist experience there. He also invited them to transfer their tourist experience to their relatives and friends to encourage them to visit Egypt.
The tourists expressed their astonishment at what They witnessed the greatness of Egyptian civilization and the unique tourist and archaeological sites that Egypt possesses, and they were happy with this visit, stressing their desire to repeat it again as soon as possible to enjoy the product. Beach tourism and visits to the cities of Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada.
It is worth noting that the Baron Palace is one of the most important archaeological buildings in Egypt, as it is a rare and distinguished architectural masterpiece.
The palace was built in the style of Indian architecture; It was founded by Belgian millionaire Edouard Empain in the early twentieth century.
