Sakakini Palace: Cairo’s Forgotten Architectural Gem
One of the most interesting and neglected monuments in Cairo is the Sakakini Palace, located in the vibrant area of El Daher within the city. It is not only another artifact of Egyptian history; this fantastic edifice is a work of art which conveys a story of ambition and culture, and transformation. Constructed in 1897, the palace displays an extravagant Rococo style of architecture that is not easy to come by in the Middle East. It is, even now, after years of neglect, an expression of the creative genius and the prosperity of its founder, Habib Pasha Sakakini.
sakakini palace
In a city like Cairo where tourists sightsee other destinations other than the pyramids and mosques, here is an alternative of the Sakakini Palace. It is a window into the 19th-century cosmopolitan life and the personal vision of a man who wanted to introduce European decency to the Egyptian land.
Location of Sakakini Palace
6 Al Sakakini Square, As Sakakni, Daher, Cairo 11511, Egypt
The Visionary Behind Sakakini Palace
The history of the Sakakini Palace starts with the founder of the palace, Habib Pasha Sakakini, also called Gabriel Habib Sakakini Pacha. He was born in Damascus in 1841, but later relocated to Egypt where he was one of the most influential businessmen in Cairo. His feet got wet in the Suez Canal Company in Port Said. Gradually, his talent, will, and charisma enabled him to gain the good will of the high officials and Egyptian elite.
Sakakini Pasha had amassed immense wealth, after which he relocated to Cairo and thought he would leave an impression in this city. He had a dream and he wanted to build a palace that no one had built before that would be like a blend of the European craftsmanship and the Egyptian magnificence. He was also intrigued by the grand palaces he had come across in his journey across Italy and France and he desired to do the same in his new country.
In a bid to have a visible sign of his success, Sakakini Pasha commissioned a French architect to construct a palace that would also demonstrate his love to art, culture and beauty. The outcome was the Sakakini Palace, a unique work that would subsequently influence the image of its area of residence.
History and Construction of Sakakini Palace
Sakakini Palace outside
Sakakini Palace was built in the early 1890s (constructions lasted approximately five years). It was formally completed in 1897. The location where the palace was erected was previously a lake referred to as the Turkmen Karaja that had to be emptied to accommodate the giant palace.
This design was based on the Rococo design style that was popular in 18th-century France and Italy and is characterized by its excessive ornamentation, curvy shapes and textured surfaces. The palace had more than five levels, and it had approximately fifty rooms, four corner towers and hundreds of statues. It occupied 2,698 square meters and had over 400 doors and windows and natural lighting was flooding in the interior.
There were marble floors, wood panels carved by hand and ornamented ceilings with tiny paintings and gold embellishments that visitors had found inside. The detail given was amazing, even to the well-designed staircases and the initials carved in stone, starting with H and S denoting Habib Sakakini himself.
By the time it was finished Sakakini Palace was an icon of contemporary posh in a fast-evolving Cairo. It included gardens, fountains and open courtyards, which were exceptional in contrast to the thick urban architecture which was to develop around it subsequently.
Architectural Design and Artistic Details
It is the architecture of the Sakakini Palace that makes it so fascinating to both a historian and a tourist. The Rococo is traced everywhere, in the curved balconies, the decorations of the facades, the figures of the angels, of the maidens, and of mythical beings.
The exterior has a special circular design of four towers each crowned with a dome. These make the palace look almost like a fairytale, particularly when one looks at it at a distance. It has two alabaster lions as its main entrance, that symbolizes power and protection. There are elaborate carvings above the door that narrate tales of love, religion and changing of seasons.
The central hall is huge, approximately 600 square meters, and it has six doors to the other palace parts. The halls are painted in romantic European sceneries, with marble columns on its ceilings. The figures are estimated to be more than 300 and include women, children and even animals like a giant crocodile that used to be near the entrance.
The sculpture of a young girl, in fine detail, called Dorrat Al-Tag (The Crown Jewel), is one of the most well-known art pieces within the palace. The other decorations are floral, crystal chandeliers and elaborate ironwork.
All the details of the Sakakini Palace appear to be made in order to impress. Today, after all the years of wear, every visitor can feel the grandeur and the ardor of the work.
The District of Sakakini Palace: A Landmark in Cairo’s Heart
The Sakakini Palace
The area around the Sakakini Palace was, in due course, named after the structure. This region was now called Hayy El-Sakakini (Sakakini District). It was located between El Daher and Abbassiya and it turned into one of the most diverse and dynamic districts of Cairo.
During the early years, the district received rich families, intellectuals and artists. The existence of the palace provided the region with prestige, and the Europeanism in the palace resulted in it being a trendy residue. In Cairo, which was growing, new roads and tram lines were built and linked the district with the rest of the city hence residents and tourists could easily visit the location.
Interestingly, some renowned individuals used to reside nearby, some of them being the Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, who part of his early years in the Sakakini neighborhood. The mixture of cultures brought even greater depth to the identity of the area.
To the contemporary tourists, a visit to Sakakini Palace will also be a journey to the heart of a genuine locality of Cairo- a place where past and present are one and where history silently shares the space with life in Egypt.
The Changing Roles of Sakakini Palace Over Time
The Sakakini Plaace
Following the death of Habib Pasha Sakakini in 1923, the palace was still in his family some time. His successors at length gave away the Sakakini Palace to the Egyptian government. The building was later discovered to have new functions, as the needs of the country changed.
In 1961, the Health Education Museum was established within it in which there were medical exhibitions and health campaigns. It was an educative and awareness center over 20 years. The palace was left to the Supreme Council of Antiquities after the museum had to close in 1983.
Sakakini Palace was declared an Islamic and Coptic monument in 1987, its historical and artistic importance being acknowledged. But even despite this title, long intervals of neglect attended the palace.
The sculptures started to fall, the paint started to peel on the walls and the wooden framework started deteriorating. The palace was closed to people years and remained silent with the increase of the city around it.
Neglect, Fire, and Restoration Efforts
The Sakakini Palace
Sakakini Palace was not a kind of year. The structure was severely damaged due to poor maintenance, pollution and harsh weather in Cairo. In 2016, an electrical short-circuit caused a small fire in the basement, which destroyed a section of the ceiling, and was raising concerns on the condition of the building.
Since it is important, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities initiated a few restoration plans. Previous efforts that existed under President Hosni Mubarak were criticized due to bad workmanship but in recent years, new efforts have been more cautious and professional.
Restoration crews are today trying to mend cracks, stabilize walls and clean fragile statues and carvings. They are also reinstating the rich colours and ornamentation that are so outstanding about the palace. It is planned in the long run to reopen Sakakini Palace as a museum or culture center so that both locals and tourists can experience its glory again.
Myths and Legends Surrounding Sakakini Palace
Similar to most of the grand old buildings, Sakakini Palace has been the center of numerous tales and legends. The residents of the city frequently talk about how someone is flickering during the night or their feet are heard rolling in empty halls. Others even say that they have seen ghostly figures in the windows.
These tales are, of course, more of a legend than a reality, however, they introduce an element of mystery to the palace. Such a combination of beauty and mystery is part of the attractiveness of the building; it is not only an architectural masterpiece but a place that evokes imagination.
These stories make the Sakakini Palace more fascinating to the curious travelers. You may believe or not in the supernatural but there can be no denying the fact that the imitation of magic is palpable in the palace.
Sakakini Palace Restaurant: A Taste of History in Every Bite
Having seen all the splendor of Sakakini Palace, most of the visitors seek a place to unwind and have local cuisines in Cairo. Although an actual restaurant is not situated in the very palace, the nearby area of El-Daher has a variety of small restaurants, which are a tribute to ancient Cairo. Lots of tourists prefer to taste the local Egyptian food in the area, including koshari, molokhia, and grilled kofta, which are offered in the local restaurants of the same cultural beauty as the palace.
If the palace is reopened to the public, it has been planned that some of the space should be turned into a heritage-style cafe or restaurant. It is to incorporate dining and history in one, so that the guests can also have Egyptian and Mediterranean food in a reconstructed royal environment. At that point, one can have a meal in the local cafes and local restaurants that offer a similar ambiance of coziness and fragrance, and their exploration of the Sakakini Palace would be complete.
Visiting Sakakini Palace Today
To tourists visiting Cairo, the Sakakini Palace is a very rare opportunity to experience the other side of the city that is very few visitors can do. The palace is found in the El Daher area which is approximately fifteen minutes away by taxi or rideshare, located in Downtown Cairo. It is a short walk to the nearest station, El Daher Station, by metro.
At present, the restoration process is still going on and therefore, the palace is not necessarily open. Nevertheless, the outside is worth visiting. Most of the people who come to see it take pictures of the neighborhood around it as they make admiration of its domes, balconies and sculptures on the outside.
It is also projected that when the palace opens completely, there will be guided tours and cultural events and maybe even small exhibitions of the history of the palace and the life of Habib Pasha Sakakini. A visit will provide tourists with an insight into the 19th-century Cairo- it is a world of elegance, ambition and architectural marvel.
The other attractions to visit in the area are the Abdeen Palace, the Egyptian Museum, and the Islamic Cairo which are a short drive away and can be covered within a day.
Sakakini Palace Tickets and Visitor Information
When you are visiting the Sakakini Palace, you need to be aware that the palace is under restoration and is not fully released to the public. The Egyptian government and heritage agencies are trying to maintain its architecture and make it ready to host cultural events and tours in future. The palace should be among the historical sites that must be visited in Cairo once it is restored.
No official entry tickets into the Sakakini Palace are currently being sold. Nevertheless, the El-Daher district allows tourists to look at the outside of the palace and observe its impressive architecture. There will be affordable prices when the sales of the tickets kick off, and it will be comparable to other Cairo attractions such as the Abdeen Palace or the Manial Palace. The newest ticket details can be probably found on the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, or on large travel agencies websites.
Visitors can make the Sakakini Palace a part of their sightseeing tour of Cairo until it officially opens and take photos and visit the local cultural attractions which reflect the ancient beauty of Cairo.
Conclusion
Sakakini Palace is not just a gorgeous structure, but it is the relic of the multifaceted past of Cairo and the dreams of a man who believed in the big picture. It is one of the most distinctive sites in the city due to its mixture of European beauty and the Egyptian artistry.
Although time and neglect have done their worst, restorations are gradually rendering this lost jewel back to life. To the tourists, it is not only about architecture when visiting Sakakini Palace, but also about relating to the soul of the city of Cairo itself that is still reinventing itself whilst still respecting its history.
By the time it is reopened, the Sakakini Palace will have become a beautiful, cultural, and inspirational experience for all people who enter its doors.
