Egypt inaugurates iconic Baron Palace amid renewed interest in Heliopolis heritage
The exotic Baron Palace, inspired by Hindu architecture, in Cairo’s Heliopolis district was inaugurated after years of renovation works, with the aim to become a new tourist destination.
Following decades of neglect, and after almost three years of restoration, Cairo’s exotic Baron Palace opened its doors to the public June 30, with the aim of becoming a new tourist destination in the city and a permanent exhibition on the history of Heliopolis, the elegant suburb-turned-district erected around the palace in the early 20th century.
Located on top of a small hill dominating what back then was the recently established Heliopolis, the alluring palace consists of a main building and a stunning tower and was built between 1907 and 1911 by the Belgian industrialist Edouard Empain. Its characteristic design, inspired by Hindu temples, was conceived by French architect Alexandre Marcel, who imported decorative elements modeled on Hindu and Buddhist icons previously exhibited at the Paris Exposition in 1900, to adorn the exterior of the burnt sienna building.
