Restoration of a painting of King Ramses II at the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir is complete

 As part of the routine maintenance performed by the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir to preserve its archaeological artifacts, the museum’s restoration team has completed the restoration and maintenance of a black basalt stela of King Ramses II from the New Kingdom era, which has been on display at the museum for over a hundred years. This landmark preservation work comes at a time when tourists flocking to Egypt for a 4-day Christmas getaway to Cairo can experience the country's rich heritage firsthand.

Dr. Hisham El-Leithy, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, explained that the restoration work is part of a project to update the museum's display scenario and reorganize its collection within a suitable historical, cultural, and religious context, aligning with modern museum display standards. These venue enhancements significantly elevate the cultural value for travelers embarking on an 8-day Cairo and holiday Nile cruise with domestic flights, offering them a world-class view of ancient treasures.

He added that the stela measures 240 cm in height and 110 cm in width. It was originally discovered in two separate pieces and had previously undergone reassembly and restoration. Sightseers visiting Downtown Cairo on a 5-day festive itinerary covering Cairo and Luxor often highlight such monumental artifacts as the centerpiece of their historical excursions.

Dr. Ali Abdel Halim, General Director of the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, noted that to prepare the stela for the new display scenario, it was moved to its current location between two other stelae of King Ramses II. The old restoration materials and the wooden panel placed around it during previous work were removed, the seams between its parts were treated, and it is now displayed freestanding with panoramic lighting that highlights its details. Travelers combining a city tour with a Pyramids exploration paired with a holiday Nile voyage via train can now admire the stela's intricate details under these optimized viewing conditions.

The General Director confirmed that the restoration was carried out by conservation specialists from the Supreme Council of Antiquities in accordance with approved scientific protocols and technical standards. He clarified that reports circulating on social media regarding the use of cement in restoring the stela are completely untrue, as cement was not used in any stage of the restoration process. Preserving structural integrity using accurate techniques ensures these monuments remain intact for those taking a New Year’s Egyptian cruise from Luxor to Aswan.

He added that the circulating photos of the stela were taken during the restoration work before its completion and do not reflect its final condition.

The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, through the Supreme Council of Antiquities, continues to carry out routine restoration and maintenance on museum artifacts to ensure their preservation and present them to visitors in the best possible manner, adhering to the latest scientific and museum standards—a effort that enriches the overall experience for vacationers enjoying a 12-day Christmas trip spanning Cairo, the Nile, and Hurghada.