It will be one of the most eagerly awaited exhibitions of the fall of 2025 and of the entire Italian cultural season when it opens Oct. 24 at the Scuderie del Quirinale in Rome. Treasures of the Pharaohs, this is the title of the exhibition organized by the Supreme Council of Egyptian Antiquities in collaboration with the Scuderie del Quirinale, proposes a journey through millennia of pharaonic civilization, offering Italian and international audiences a unique opportunity to admire 130 masterpieces coming directly from Egypt’s leading museums.
Scheduled to run until May 3, 2026, the exhibition is shaping up to be a major historical event: in fact, it is only the second time thatEgypt has granted such a relevant loan to our country: the first dates back to the famous exhibition at Palazzo Grassi in Venice in 2002-2003, which featured 80 artifacts and marked a milestone in the popularization of Egyptian archaeology in Italy. This time, the Roman exhibition surpasses the Venetian precedent in breadth, richness and quality, positioning itself as an immersive and in-depth experience in the life, cults and art of ancient Egypt.
Curated by Egyptologist Tarek El Awady, Treasures of the Pharaohs is the fruit of a cultural diplomacy initiative between Italy and Egypt, promoted with the support of the Italian Embassy in Cairo. The dialogue between institutions has made possible the loan of masterpieces preserved in Egypt’s most prestigious museums, such as the Egyptian Museum in Cairo and the Luxor Museum. These are also joined by the contribution of the Egyptian Museum of Turin, which participates in the initiative by lending a precious artifact from its collection, the Mensa Isiaca, in a symbolic bridge between the two great museums dedicated to the civilization of the pharaohs.
The exhibition is divided into six thematic sections that explore key aspects of Egyptian civilization: the divine authority of the rulers, the complexity of society, daily life, religious beliefs, funerary rites and the most recent archaeological discoveries. Through these sections, visitors will be taken on a journey that combines the visual appeal of the masterpieces on display with an accurate and accessible historical narrative.
Among the most significant works on display is the famous Triad of Mycerinus, a pharaoh of the Old Kingdom who lived more than 4,500 years ago, depicted in a monumental sculpture together with the goddess Hathor and the patron deity of the Theban region. The work represents a very high example of the Egyptian conception of royal power as a divine emanation, as well as being an absolute masterpiece of sculptural art.
Another absolute star of the exhibition is the golden sarcophagus of Queen Ahhotep, dating from the New Kingdom. The refinement of the workmanship and the richness of the materials testify to the status of the sovereign, mother of Ahmose I, who was considered a key figure in maintaining Egypt’s stability at one of its most delicate moments. Also linked to it is the legendary Necklace of the Golden Flies, a military honor reserved for the most valiant leaders: a symbol of heroism that, in Ahhotep’s case, underscores the queen’s military and political role.
Gold, a sacred metal and symbol of immortality, is present in numerous works in the exhibition. Among them is the gold funerary mask of Amenemope, which is striking for the precision of its execution and the spiritual power it exudes. No less extraordinary is the golden sarcophagus of Thuya, grandmother of Pharaoh Akhenaten, decorated with magical symbols and hieroglyphic inscriptions that accompanied the soul of the deceased on its journey to the afterlife. Closing the golden overview is the funerary cover of Pharaoh Psusennes I, one of the most important testimonies of the Third Intermediate Period, with its refined ornamental motifs intended to ensure the ruler’s protection in the afterlife.
The exhibition does not neglect the everyday dimension of Egyptian civilization. In addition to royal objects, finely crafted utensils, jewelry, statues and artifacts testifying to the lives of artisans, officials and members of the elites will be on display. An entire section will be devoted to the so-called City of Gold, one of the most important excavations in recent decades, which took place near Thebes and uncovered a large urban settlement from the time of Amenhotep III and Akhenaten. The discoveries tell the story of the life of artisans serving the court: tools, ceramics, amulets and personal objects that reveal with extraordinary clarity the level of social organization, technical knowledge and material culture of the time.
The exhibition itinerary will be accompanied by a rich program of in-depth lectures. Lectures with internationally renowned Egyptologists, guided tours, and workshop activities for children and adults are planned, designed to engage diverse audiences and make knowledge of ancient Egypt accessible, alive and engaging. An official catalog, edited by renowned Egyptian archaeologist Zahi Hawass and published by Allemandi Editore, will accompany the exhibition and will collect in-depth texts, high-definition images and detailed fact sheets on the exhibits.
The pre-sale opening for tickets is set for Friday, May 30, 2025. Given the international significance of the initiative and the exceptional nature of the loans, it is easy to expect a large turnout of visitors.
"The exhibition Treasures of the Pharaohs represents an extraordinary opportunity to consolidate the dialogue between Italy and Egypt," says Alessandro Giuli, minister of culture. “A dialogue based on the enhancement of cultural heritage and scientific research. In this context, I cannot fail to recall the Mattei Plan, a model that is not limited to the economic and energy spheres, but also aims to strengthen cultural relations. Our country, with a unique artistic heritage in the world, has been able to transform its millennial experience into a system of internationally recognized skills, knowledge and professionalism. The Scuderie del Quirinale, in this sense, represents genuine excellence. For years, under the management of Ales, they have established themselves as a point of reference for exhibitions of international scope, capable of attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors and bringing masterpieces from the world’s most important museums to Rome. Exhibitions such as Treasures of the Pharaohs not only highlight the art and history of one of the most fascinating civilizations of the ancient world but also enhance the Italian system, in which public and private, institutions and businesses, work together to spread culture and knowledge.”
“Cultural diplomacy,” says Italian Ambassador to Egypt Michele Quaroni, “allows us to speak a universal language that crosses borders and connects people. This exhibition is a powerful expression of this idea. It brings together institutions, scholars and citizens of both countries, reminding us that culture is not only about the past, but looks above all to the future. The long-standing cultural ties between Italy and Egypt, rooted in millennia of Mediterranean exchange, continue to flourish through initiatives like this, deepening mutual appreciation and collaboration.”
“Temporary archaeological exhibitions abroad,” emphasizes Mohamed Ismail Khaled, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, “represent a key cultural bridge: they allow international audiences to explore the richness of ancient Egyptian civilization, highlighting the ingenuity of ancient Egyptians in the fields of science, engineering and the arts. These exhibitions play a key role in promoting cross-cultural dialogue and bringing people together through a shared appreciation of human heritage. This is the second largest exhibition of Egyptian antiquities ever mounted in Italy after the 2002 exhibition entitled ”Pharaohs,“ which was held in Venice and focused on the role of Egyptian rulers during the New Kingdom. Today we are proud to return with a collection that reflects the richness of our history and the timeless appeal of our heritage. The selection of these artifacts from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir sends a clear message that the museum continues to be a pillar of our cultural and educational heritage. Contrary to the perception that it may be overshadowed by the upcoming opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum on July 3, the Tahrir Museum is undergoing major upgrades to its exhibition spaces and curatorial narrative. These developments are being carried out in partnership with the European Union and five of Europe’s leading museums, including the Egyptian Museum in Turin. Our goal is to preserve the historic character of the Tahrir Museum while improving its presentation and visitor experience.”
“This exhibition is the culmination of more than a year of dedicated collaboration with our Italian partners,” says Moamen Othman, director of the Museum Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities. “It was made possible through close cooperation with ALES - ARTE LAVORO E SERVIZI S.p.A., an internal body of the Italian Ministry of Culture, as well as MondoMostre, a renowned institution with extensive experience in organizing international exhibitions. The Scuderie del Quirinale, which will host the exhibition, is one of Italy’s most prestigious cultural venues. Located adjacent to the Gardens of the Column and above the ruins of the grandiose Temple of Serapis, and in close proximity to the Quirinal Palace-the official residence of the President of the Italian Republic-as well as the Constitutional Court, the location has enormous political and historical significance. Hosting the exhibition here sends a strong symbolic message about the deep respect and admiration that the Italian people have for the ancient Egyptian civilization.”
"With the major exhibition Treasures of the Pharaohs, made possible thanks to the exceptional generosity of the Egyptian government and its state museums, ALES SpA," says its chairman Fabio Tagliaferri, “achieves one of the most ambitious and strategic programmatic objectives undertaken with the MiC for the management of the Scuderie del Quirinale: to organize and produce wide-ranging historical-geographical exhibition projects that can demonstrate how culture is an extraordinary vehicle for building solid and profitable international relations.”
"Curating the exhibition Treasures of the Pharaohs,“ says Tarek El Awady, ”was the most challenging and exciting experience of my professional career. It is difficult to describe what it means to create an exhibition that will bring the soul of ancient Egypt to the heart of Rome - not just through shining objects of gold and stone, but through stories. Stories of discovery, of resilience, of human ingenuity. And stories that had never been told beyond the borders of Egypt - until now."
“For Scuderie del Quirinale,” stresses director Michele Lafranconi, “presenting the exhibition ’Treasures of the Pharaohs’ represents an immense honor given the importance and exceptionality of the loans generously granted by the Arab Republic of Egypt, as well as an unrepeatable opportunity to present to the Italian public a project of great cultural ambition in the wake of the programmatic lines drawn by its Scientific Commission: To represent with a cultural offering of the highest prestige the system of absolute values that the Quirinal imagery carries. A system with millenary roots generated by the fusion and mutual interpenetration of the great civilizations born on the various shores of the Mediterranean.”
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| Treasures of the Pharaohs at the Scuderie del Quirinale: the largest exhibition in Italy featuring artifacts from Egypt |
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