The Royal Carriages Museum: A Case Study of Egypt’s Collective Memory of the Last Royal Dynasty
Doris Jones
King Farouk, Egypt’s last monarch, was overthrown by the Free Officers in July of 1952. The collective memory of Farouk’s removal is codified in Egyptian school books, and largely presents the monarchy in a negative light by highlighting the corruption of the Palace and its failure to resolve issues of inequality and poverty (Alexandrina Bibliotheca, 2021). Also, the events of the 1948 arms scandal are remembered as important turning points that eroded the legitimacy and popularity of the monarchy (Al-Ashram, 1998). The Egyptian nobility closed their homes and fled to other countries for refuge. Also, the Royal Stables, originally built by the Muhammad Ali Dynasty, were locked and packed away for decades (Royal Carriages Museum, 2022). Later, the Minister of History announced plans to renovate the old Carriage House for the explicit purpose to open the collection to the public. Now known as The Royal Carriages Museum, it was initially inaugurated in 1983, with a series of renovations occurring in 2013 and 2017, leading to its reopening in 2021 (Royal Carriages Museum, 2022). Since the carriages were seen as political and social constructs, this moment marked a new chapter in Egypt’s national and collective memory, that was shaped, in part, by the historic legacy of the Farouk family. Perhaps the real heroes in this narrative are the historical conservationists, who restored the carriages to their original grandeur, adding yet another critically important dimension to the nation’s shared heritage.
Figure 1. The Royal Carriage Museum Entrance, Boulaq, Cairo, Egypt. Photography by Mohamed Fahmy Yassen
Located in Cairo’s Boulaq neighborhood, inside the Royal Stables, the Khedival carriages of Egypt’s last Royal Family stand in stately rows. The spacious ground floor houses two wings of coaches, carts, and wagons, adorned with diverse representations of local and European craftsmanship spanning two centuries (Royal Carriages Museum, 2022). The charm of this collection, which is neither extensive nor ornate, lies in its completeness, and in its sense of timelessness. The showpiece is the Ismail Pasha Berlin which dates back to 1863. For over a century, this carriage carried Egypt’s reigning monarchy to state functions. Today, it sits in the lofty Carriage Hall and is fully restored. King Farouk was the last monarch to use the carriage. The interior contains an iridescent satin ceiling bearing the elaborate cipher of the King. (See The Berlin Carriage below).
Figure 2. The Berlin made in 1863 for Ismail Pasha, the first Khedive (Viceroy) of Egypt. Photography by Mohamed Fahmy Yassen
Restoration and Reopening to the Public
During the spring of 2022, I visited the museum to witness firsthand the awe-inspiring restoration of the carriages performed by a team of highly trained conservationists. Calling ahead, I managed to book a private tour of the facility with two of the museum’s docents. I also obtained permission to have professional photographs taken by Mohammed Fahmy Yassen. Upon entering the space, I was immediately transported back to a time when the material objects now on display were used daily for many purposes. Major restoration of the Royal Stables began in 2001, but the work was halted due to the lack of funding. The restoration resumed in 2017, costing EGP 63,000,000 (Al-Ahram, 2020), which is approximately $2,072,636 in today’s currency value. This beautiful building is located near Cairo’s Abdul Ela Bridge, where the eternal Nile River flows northwards. The 17th Century arched architectural entrance, set in a humble wall, opens onto an opulent square courtyard. To either side of the entry, are the stall areas that were erected by Isma’il Pasha in 1863 have been restored to their original luster (Royal Carriages Museum, 2022). (See image below).
Figure 3. The Royal Stable Courtyard, Cairo, Egypt. Photography by Mohamed Fahmy Yassen
One can ask: What rationale did the new government use to consciously shutter away and then re-present the carriages to the public as the former private property of a fallen dynasty? A possible response might be akin to and deeply rooted in our contemporary impulse to preserve and showcase meaning and beauty from a complex and perhaps volatile past. When examined more critically, the carriages possess overwhelming significance about Egypt’s historic memory and the nation has deemed it necessary to preserve these lavish artifacts.
A Nation Remembers
Egypt has made visible a wealth of material culture representing the Farouk Dynasty. In today’s popular culture, feature films, including documentaries, books, magazine articles, newspaper editorials, and a plethora of academic research, commemorate the Farouks and the history of their reign continues to proliferate. Portraits of the Farouks, as well as material objects such as brooches, cufflinks, horse saddles, brushes, paintings, music boxes, and much more are on full display in the Royal Carriages Museum. While Egypt ousted the Farouk Dynasty, the country remains committed to retaining the artifacts from this period in the nation’s collective memory. The transformation of the Royal Stables to the Royal Carriages Museum has been shaped by those in power, yet its legacy is reinforced by the collective memory of the nation’s citizens.
References
Bibliotheca Alexandrina. (2022). Cultural Antiquities.
El-Aref, N. (2020, July 5). Egypt’s Royal Carriages Museum to Reopen Soon After Years of Closure.
Royal Carriages Museum. Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. Cairo, Egypt.
Yassen, M.F. (2022). The Royal Carriages Museum. [See below photo gallery].
