Reopening of the Gallery of the Kings and Ellesiya Temple Marks Festival 200 and the Museo Egizio’s bicentenary
After nearly eight months of extensive renovation, the Gallery of the Kings and the Temple of Ellesiya have reopened to the public, marking a major milestone in the ongoing transformation of the Museo Egizio. The newly renovated spaces were unveiled in a special preview attended by Italian President Sergio Mattarella, Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli, and Khaled Mohamed Ismail, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities of Egypt. This momentous occasion also coincided with the launch of Festival 200, a three-day celebration honoring the Museo Egizio’s bicentennial.
The festivities began with the museum’s open night on November 20, which ran from 9 p.m. to midnight, and continued with a program of performances, events, conferences, and speed lectures. A highlight of the open night was the performance by Antonella Albano, Prima Ballerina of the Teatro alla Scala di Milano, and renowned choreographer and dancer Marco Pelle. The two artists performed in the newly renovated Gallery of the Kings, surrounded by statues of gods and pharaohs.
Over the course of the three days, more than 23,000 visitors participated in the celebrations. For the duration of the festival, the museum offered free public access, with advance reservations, providing visitors with the unique opportunity to explore the newly transformed galleries and engage with a wide variety of cultural activities.
These inaugurations are part of a series of new exhibitions and events marking the 200th anniversary of the Egyptian Museum, which will continue into 2025 and culminate with the completion of the museum’s glass-and-steel covered courtyard and hypogeum, designed by Rotterdam-based architectural firm OMA (Office for Metropolitan Architecture).
As the oldest Egyptian museum in the world celebrates its bicentennial, it remains at the forefront of reflecting the contemporary role of archaeological museums as spaces for cultural exchange, research, and dialogue with society. Since 2023, the museum has undergone significant transformation—not only in terms of architecture, but also in its scientific and archaeological research and exhibition planning. This renewal began with the opening of the Writing Gallery in December 2023, followed by a series of new installations, including the Deir El-Medina Room, the Egyptian Gardens on the Roof Garden, and the exhibition dedicated to the tomb goods of Queen Nefertari, in celebration of the 120th anniversary of the discovery of her tomb. Another major addition is the Materials. The Shape of Time exhibit, now permanently displayed in one of the museum’s wings.
The newly renovated Gallery of Kings stands as a central highlight of the museum's renewed vision. Designed by OMA in collaboration with the museum's team of Egyptologists, this gallery seamlessly blends architectural innovation with archaeological scholarship. Also the Temple of Ellesiya has been meticulously restored and reconfigured, with a new entrance on Via Duse.
In addition to these architectural and curatorial advancements, the museum has also launched an artist residency program as part of its bicentennial celebrations. The program features the works of contemporary artists Ali Cherri and Sara Sallam, further solidifying the museum’s commitment to fostering contemporary dialogue alongside its vast collection of ancient treasures.
Through these ongoing renovations, exhibitions, and initiatives, the Museo Egizio in Turin continues to position itself as a dynamic, evolving space that bridges the ancient and contemporary worlds, ensuring that it remains a vital center for learning, culture, and international exchange.
