Museum of the Revolutionary Command

When you follow the steps of history, while overwhelmed by serenity and love on the banks of the Nile, then you are in the Museum of the Revolutionary Command Council.

In 1949, King Farouk ordered the construction of a rest house for the king and a berth for royal yachts and was completed in 1951.

In April 2017, the political leadership issued a republican decision to annex the museum to the Presidential Palaces. The entrance leading to the main lobby of the museum. There, you leave for your eyes to travel to its vast space to contemplate the splendor of the architecture that rocks the two-storey building above the ground floor and the floor below them. The depth of the basement reaches to nine meters underground. It is a multi-purpose theater on which different kinds of artistic works are held. In the middle of the great lobby on the ground floor, there is a marble theater that completely covers an iron eagle spreading its wings on the building, as a symbol of freedom.

The Museum Library covers all the events of the revolution with all its details, the struggle of the Egyptian people in the face of aggression, the biographical books, and the members of the Revolutionary Command Council’s notes.

The multi-purpose hall is like an oasis for arts that reflect the Egyptian identity after the “July Revolution”. It is considered an exhibition of the most prominent plastic artists and painters whom the revolution inspired, so they depicted its glory in their creative artistic works.

The Cultural Salon is a forum for writers, poets, and thinkers to hold cultural seminars and enlightenment evenings.

The Arts Hall is an incubator of talents for young creators with a drawing workshop for children and youth and an arena for art and creativity.

Here on the first floor where the museum exhibition halls are located and consist of nine halls inside which we live a history that takes our breath away, touches its effects and witnesses its events, and contemplates the struggle of great people, who managed in 1805 to impose their will on the Ottoman Sultan and chose Muhammed Ali Pasha as a ruler of Egypt to begin with him one of the most important stages of the Egyptian history that lasted for 147 years. During Muhammed Ali Pasha’s era, the building of the Egyptian army was one of its most important foundations that helped form the concept of Egyptian patriotism. The Egyptian society witnessed major transformations like; the occupation and corruption besieging the people, heavy losses in the Palestine war. Secret and publicized national movements were formed; the most important of which is the Free Officers Movement led by Major Gamal Abdel Nasser and an elite group of his comrades and colleagues.

Cairo Blaze was seen as the spark that accelerated forming the Free Officers Movement after less than 6 months which toppled the king. “A message that was decided by the people, that the general has to leave before 6:00 P.M". In the morning of 23rd July, the first revolution statement was announced, declaring the purification of the army and an uprising against corruption. “Egypt has passed on a troubled period in its recent history from bribery, corruption, and instability of judgement".

Here is the Revolution Court  where the people prosecute their oppressors, the revolution enemies, and those who betrayed the people’s dreams. The screen located in the middle of the hall is showing some scenes of these trials. From one hall to the other, the pace of events goes on quickly verified by the newspapers’ headlines documents, sound records, and photos.

Here is the Guardian Council over the infant king whose tenure lasted only for less than a year. On 18th June 1953, the revolution officially revoked the monarchy and declared Egypt as a republic by general Mohamed Naguib, ending the Alawite dynasty rule. “President Mohamed Naguib President of the Republic of Egypt”

The Council was presided by general Mohamed Naguib then Gamal Abdel Nasser. Here in the Council Hall, you can behold photos and walk amongst the documents, collections, and antiquities. As the second year of the Revolution, some differences emerged between President Mohamed Naguib and the leadership revolution members, Consequently, Mohamed Naguib resigned in February 1954. Then the pace of events accelerated known as ‘March Crisis’ went rapidly between the reinstating of Mohamed Naguib and Gamal Abdel Nasser assassination attempt on 26th October 1954 known as ‘Al Manshyia Incident.’ “To the men here, everyone will win in his place.” Since relieving Mohamed Naguib from office on 14th November 1954, the president position had been vacant till 1956.

Here the dream of the Egyptians came true by evacuating the last British soldier from Egypt on 18th June 1956. Hence, the terms of the Evacuation Treaty, signed on the 19th October 1954, were completed. Gamal Abdel Nasser took office where Egypt entered a new era with the emblem of building and working under freedom, socialism, and a vision of ambitious projects to put Egypt on the road of development. The High Dam was one the most important projects which followed by the nationalization of the Suez Canal. “Nationalization of International company for the Suez Canal as an Egyptian shareholding company". And repelling the Tripartite Aggression, the years following the Tripartite Aggression witnessed the expansion of building factories and the national mega projects. On one side of the hall, there are the genuine holdings of President Abdel Nasser and Marshal Abdel Hakiem Amer. On another side of the hall, there is an annexed exhibit hall screening such events in audio-visual recordings.

The nation wakes up, on the morning of June 5th 1967 to the drums of war with statements confirming victory and defeating the aggression. But there was a bitter truth as those who were monitoring foreign media knew well that Egypt had tasted the bitterness of defeat. Consequently, the President announced his resignation. “I have decided to completely and permanently step down from any official position,” but the people refused his resignation. The slogan of “No voice rises above the sound of the battle” became a chronicle for the post-July 1967 setback, the period of rebuilding the armed forces and the military preparations began for what was called a war of attrition on the front lines. That war demonstrated the courage of the Egyptians and their ability to wipe out the traces of defeat. On the 28th of September 1970, the hearts of Egyptians were broken when a weeping voice mourning for them the news of the death of their leader Gamal Abdel Nasser. “The United Arab Republic and the Arab nation lost one of the most valuable men .” Gamal Abdel Nasser passed away; the people took to streets and square wailing, bidding farewell to the beloved of millions whose body came out from the Revolutionary Command Council on El-Gazira to his final resting place.

Then President Sadat was sworn in, assumed the reins of power, continued the struggle to restore internal stability, and regain the land and dignity. The march continued until the victory was achieved. The victory healed the wounds  and restored to the Egyptian and Arab people their land and regained their confidence and pride.

We go up the stairs to the second floor to look from the top of the museum to the splendor and beauty of Egypt with its Nile coming from the south to pour hope and love into the depths of hearts. And in the upper cultural salon, the Nile, the light, the eagle, the lighthouse, the hymns of art, and the verses of inspiration come together.

The Revolutionary Command Council Museum is an image of a nation that preserves its history and derives its energies from it to build its present and advance its future. The Revolutionary Command Council Museum is an edifice of history and civilization.