Royal jewelry museum to open in Alexandria

Egypt State Information Service

The coastal city of Alexandria will host a museum displaying royal jewelry, The museum will be open for tourists and visitors early 2009.

Minister of Culture Farouk Hosni said the museum's restoration took three years and cost LE50 million.

He said the museum has been equipped with up-to-date security and anti-theft devices.

"It is the largest Egyptian museum in terms of space," the Minister said, adding that it had been constructed on a total of 4,185 metres.

He added "The building itself is a masterpiece as it used to be the place of Princess Fatima Al-Zahra."

Head of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Dr Zahi Hawwas said the museum will display artifacts and jewelry dating back to 1805, when Mohammad Ali's era started.