Museum of Fine Arts, Alexandria

Not everyone knows about this museum but it was very special because it hosted the display of Japanese dolls. We liked it very much and we hope they include more eventa like this. I haven’t checked the hall of the paintings, because we we short on time. There’s also another museum for Arabic calligraphy but the building is being renovated. You have to leave your bags outside btw. I’ll try to go again to check the paintings

Terrible staff attitude.
Arrived, paid, entered the ground floor then was told I needed to leave my small backpack on top of the front perspex desk (with nobody there – ‘security’ outside smoking and chatting). Told them my money and valuables were in it and I didn’t wish to leave it unattended. Was reassured the guard would mind it and was told if I didn’t like it I could get my money back and leave.
All the lights were off in the museum when we entered (11am). Had to ask for them to be switched on.
Asked about the next floor up. Was told it was closed. More likely just couldn’t be bothered switching the lights on.
A few decent paintings but not really worth the trip over to listen to the attitude. Shame.
Staff more interested in sitting around chatting or smoking than in any of the lovely art they are surrounded by.
They demanded our passports on entry as they required the ‘digital photos’ – absolute rubbish. We don’t carry passports on day trips and they aren’t required. Driving license seemed to appease them. Staffing needs addressed.

Nice museum with modest collection, it houses a collection of works by Egyptian artist and a selection of works from Baroque, Romanticism, Rococo and Orientalism. In addition, noteworthy examples of carving, printing and sculpture from Egyptian and European artists.

The museum was established in 1904 when Alexandria Municipal Authorities received a collection of paintings as a gift from Edward Farid Heim. The collection consisted of 210 pieces by international artists.

In 1936, French trader, Baron Félix de Menasce , donated a villa in Alexandria’s Moharram Bek area to be used as a library and a gallery for the exhibition of artworks. The building was destroyed in the Second World War and the municipality had to store the artworks in another location until another museum had been established.

There are two criticisms i want to address, one of the staff told me you can only take maximum of 3 photos of the museum, only if it’s a selfie then i’m free to take how many i want, he argued that such decision is aiming to attract more visitors and not showcase everything online, which i completely disagree with.

The second point is that many halls of the museum are empty and some works are not presented in the best way possible. More care to such an important museum will take the place a long way.

I recommend coming here and highlight the place so it receives more attention and care.