What is the history of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization?

The construction of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization was a part of the UNESCO project in Egypt which was establishing new different museums. UNESCO decided to build the Nubia Museum and NMEC at the same time, but with the time the UNESCO gave the priority to establish the Nubia Museum in Aswan in 1994, and the establishing of the NMEC was delayed. 

In 1998, UNESCO  chose Ain Elsira – Fustat to be the place for establishing the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization where it is more harmonious with the museum concept that will display cultures that came on Fustat such as Prehistory, Ancient Egyptian, Greco-Roman, Coptic, Islamic, Mohamed Ali, and modern history. 

The museum was partially opened in 2017 with a temporary exhibition is called (Crafts in Egypt) displaying four crafts (Pottery – Textile – Wood – Jewelry) and presenting their industry and symbol through the history. But the permanent halls do not prepare yet but the museum is planned to be opened at the end of 2020.

Currently, the museum receives the artifacts that are put in conservation labs to be restored for the permanent display.

What is unique in the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization?

  • It has an archaeological monument inside the museum campus that it is the oldest tanning leather in Egypt. Its importance is that this tanning leather is the only building remained to infer on the tanning leather style in Islamic time. 
  • It lookovers on a unique view which is Ain Sirah Lake that is the only remaining lake in Cairo. 
  • You will able to see the history of Egypt from prehistory to modern history in one place in addition to the customs of the Egyptian community in those times.
  • The museum will display the mummies that are in the Egyptian Museum now in a new concept. 

For an unparalleled day tour in Fustat Explore Egypt Tours recommends this new museum for you allowing seeing several historical eras in one place.