The Gayer-Anderson Museum is, in fact, a private mansion that offers a glimpse into the extravagant lifestyle of the upper class in Egypt during the 1930s
Gayer-Anderson, a retired British general, purchased these two 16th-century houses in the 1930s and renovated them to house his extensive collection of antiques and artworks gathered over the years
The museum boasts a collection of statues, paintings, and crafts, yet none can compare to the charm of the mansion itself
Navigating through the enigmatic corridors and staircases, it is challenging to accurately gauge its true size
Rooms with different themes showcase the homeowner’s whimsical ideas: the Byzantine room is meticulously grand, the Persian room is passionately vibrant, the Damascus room is resplendent with gold, and the Chinese room is elegantly understated, interspersed with living areas and verandas, all arranged in a novel yet practical layout
Particularly intriguing is a narrow passage hidden on the second floor
In the early days, when women were not allowed to be seen in public, they could sit on wooden chairs in this narrow passage and peek through the intricately carved wooden lattice windows to observe the activities in the hall below, while those below could not see the hidden figures
The reception hall is rectangular, with beautiful Persian carpets on either side, a sunken area in the center, and a small fountain right in the middle
When the fountain is turned on, the cool water that emerges helps dispel the bothersome heat of Cairo, showcasing the exquisiteness of the mansion and the ingenuity of its architecture
Open all year round from 9:00 to 15:00
Accessibility services: Accessible entrance, Accessible restrooms
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