Postal Museum (Cairo) Exploring Ancient and Modern Postal Services

The Postal Museum in Cairo is a treasure trove of postal history, showcasing ancient and modern postal services.

The museum is home to a vast collection of artifacts, including ancient clay tablets and papyrus letters.

One of the most fascinating exhibits is the ancient Egyptian postal system, which dates back to around 2500 BC.

This system relied on a network of messengers and postal stations to deliver messages between ancient Egyptian cities.

You might like: Frankfurt Am Main Germany Zip Code

The Egyptian Postal Museum was established in February 1934, founded by King Fuad I.

It officially opened to the public in January 1940, after being closed to the public for nearly a decade.

The museum has undergone significant changes over the years, evolving from a simple stamp exhibit to a comprehensive collection showcasing the development of postal services in Egypt.

Today, the museum boasts an impressive collection of over 1,254 exhibits arranged in ten distinct sections, covering an area of 543 square meters.

This extensive collection allows visitors to explore the history of postal services in Egypt, from ancient times to the modern era.

Postal services in ancient Egypt date back to the Pharaonic Old and Middle Kingdoms, with evidence of political and trade relations with neighboring countries.

The first document indicating the use of post dates back to 2000 BC, a will sent by a writer to his son emphasizing the importance of writing and government posts.

Most of the mail during the Pharaonic era was distributed by pedestrian mail carriers who traveled along the Nile and followed the paths of caravans and armies.

A group of clay letters found in Tel Al Amarna in northern Upper Egypt are a record of political correspondence done by Aminophis from the city of Thebes to "Akhotaton" in 1364 BCE.

These clay letters are written in cuneiform and demonstrate the advanced communication systems of ancient Egypt.

The Persians were the first to adopt a postal system in their country, which was later developed by the Ptolemies in Egypt, introducing two categories of post: express and regular.

Express post carried the letters of kings, ministers, and top officials by men on horseback, while regular post carried letters of government employees and ordinary people by pedestrian mail carriers and beasts of burden.

This system was adopted in Egypt throughout the Roman era and the early days of the Islamic period.

The Ptolemaic postal system was a significant development in ancient Egypt's communication history, showcasing the country's efforts to improve mail delivery.

The Postal Museum in Cairo has undergone significant modernization and development efforts in recent years.

The museum's collection has been expanded to include a wider range of artifacts and exhibits, showcasing the history of postal services in Egypt and the region.

The museum's building has been renovated to improve its accessibility and provide a more comfortable and engaging experience for visitors.

The Postal Museum has also introduced interactive exhibits and educational programs to engage visitors, especially children, and provide a hands-on learning experience.

The museum's staff has been trained to provide better customer service and to be more knowledgeable about the exhibits and collections.

The Postal Museum has become a popular tourist destination in Cairo, attracting visitors from all over the world with its unique exhibits and historical significance.

The Egyptian Postal Museum is divided into ten distinct sections, each offering a unique glimpse into the history and development of communication and postal services in Egypt. The collection includes over 1,200 exhibits, meticulously categorized for easy exploration.

The Transport section showcases the various methods used to deliver mail throughout the centuries, from horses and camels to helium balloons and carrier pigeons. A map showcasing the route of carrier pigeons during the Mamluk era is a particular highlight.

The Foreign Mail section features a wide range of stamped envelopes, letters, and other items related to international correspondence, highlighting Egypt's long-standing connections with the rest of the world.

The Historical Section is a fascinating part of the Egyptian Postal Museum. It showcases the long history of postal services in Egypt, from the Pharaonic era to the modern age.

Here, you'll find beautifully preserved artifacts that illustrate how messages have been delivered throughout Egypt's history. You can expect to see a wide range of exhibits, including documents and pictures.

The Historical Section is just one of the ten distinct sections that make up the museum. It's worth noting that the museum covers an area of 543 square meters and boasts over 1,254 exhibits in total.

The Stamps Section is a real treat, showcasing a vast assortment of local and international stamps. These small paper items are not just a piece of history, but also works of art.

You can find beautifully preserved stamps from King Farouk's coronation and the initial Egyptian stamp collection (1867-69) in this section. These stamps are a great representation of the artistic designs and historical importance of stamps.

The Stamps Section also features valuable sets of stamped envelopes from foreign nations. This is a great way to see how different countries have used stamps throughout history.

One of the most impressive exhibits in this section is the commemorative stamps on display. You can see the progression of stamp design over the years and how different events have been celebrated through stamps.

To visit the Egyptian Postal Museum, start at the Central Post Office on Ataba Square and look for the "Main Post Office" door.

You'll find the commemorative stamp office on your right, where you can purchase tickets and unique edition stamps.

The museum is open from Sunday to Thursday, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Admission prices are EGP 5 for students, EGP 10 for adults, and EGP 50 for foreigners.