Egypt's Baron Palace Has Not Been Sold

As one of the most famous Palaces in Heliopolis if not all of Egypt the Baron Empain Palace is a destination for any tourist and history enthusiast.

Recently controversy arose over a rumor that the palace was being sold for 5 million EGP, with many different media outlets reporting on this. However, Egyptian Antiquities report that the palace is owned by the Egyptian Government and they are denying reports that it was sold.

More so the palace can never be sold, it's against Egyptian Law and Constitution. Under the Cultural Regulation Law, the building will remain public property and cannot turn into a private one.

An Official of Antiquities Youssef Khalifa also confirmed that the government owns the palace and the heirs entitled to the palace have been compensated. The story turns out that another property owned by Empain's heirs was sold, however it was located ion Al-Thawra Street, which is close by in the neighborhood where the Baron Palace resides, and this is the cause of the misunderstanding.

The Baron Palace originally built in the 20th century was designed by French Architect Alexandre Marcel. As a tale of the times the Baron Empain played a major role in redesigning the upper class neighborhood in Cairo, Egypt since his arrival in 1904. He also established his own business called the Heliopolis Oasis Co. purchasing large amounts of land and turned it into the present day city.

There is however a little more to the story. Later in 1929 the Baron after death was buried under the

Basilica Church in Heliopolis, the two were linked to the Baron's Palace by an underground tunnel.

Edouard Louis Joseph, the Baron Empain started life as a wealthy Belgian engineer by trade. He became known as an entrepreneur, financier and industrialist later in life. One of his favorite hobbies was learning about the culture and history of Egypt himself, and by this he became an Egyptologist. During World War I the Baron also earned the ranking of a Major General. The Baron also founded Cairo Electric Railways and Heliopolis Oases Company.

The Baron Empain lived from 20 September 

1852 – 22 July 1929