Khairy Pasha Palace
A neo-Mamluk palace on Qasr El Eyni Street that served as the intellectual heart of the American University in Cairo for nearly a century before its relocation in 2008.
At a glance
Khairy Pasha Palace stands in Tahrir Square, one of Cairo’s most significant public spaces. The neo-Mamluk structure was the residence of Khairy Pasha before becoming the downtown campus of the American University in Cairo. Its architectural language echoes the ornamental vocabulary of medieval Cairo while serving modern educational purposes.
History
The palace originated as the residence of Khairy Pasha. An adjacent building, originally constructed as the Girls’ School of the Greek Community of Cairo, was acquired by the American University in Cairo in 1964 and designated as its Greek Campus. In 1920, Khairy Pasha Palace itself became AUC’s Tahrir Square campus—a role it maintained for 88 years. Following the inauguration of AUC’s new campus in New Cairo in 2008, the downtown location ceased its primary educational function.
What you see
The palace exemplifies neo-Mamluk design, a nineteenth-century architectural movement that revived the aesthetic principles of Cairo’s medieval sultanate era. Its location at 113 Qasr El Eyni Street places it within the Tahrir Square district, an area of profound historical layering where modern Cairo’s civic identity intersects with centuries of urban development.
Cultural significance
The palace represents the intersection of Cairo’s Ottoman-era aristocracy, European institutional presence, and modern Egyptian intellectual life. Its decades as AUC’s downtown campus made it a vital center for higher education and cultural exchange in the Arab world. The building embodies the architectural tastes of Egypt’s nineteenth-century elite and the complex urban narratives of contemporary Cairo.
Key facts
- Country: Egypt
- City: Cairo
- Address: 113 Qasr El Eyni Street, Tahrir Square
- Coordinates: 30.04277778, 31.23722222
- Architectural style: Neo-Mamluk
- Former use: American University in Cairo Tahrir Square campus (1920–2008)
Practical information & getting there
The palace is located in central Cairo’s Tahrir Square district. Visitors should note that the building’s current status and public accessibility may have changed since its transition from active educational use in 2008. Consult local Cairo tourism resources for current visiting information and hours.
Sources & resources
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