History of the Egyptian Museum
Learn about the fascinating history of one of the world's most important Egyptian collections
The Egyptian Museum of Turin is the oldest museum in the world entirely dedicated to the civilization of ancient Egypt. Its fascinating history begins in 1824 and continues to this day as a world center for the study and preservation of Egyptian heritage.
Museum Foundation
The Egyptian Museum of Turin is founded with the purchase of the collection of Bernardino Drovetti, French consul in Egypt, by King Carlo Felice of Savoy.
First Expansion
The collection is enriched with artifacts from new excavations in Egypt, making the museum one of the most important in the world for Egyptology.
The Schiaparelli Mission
Ernesto Schiaparelli leads excavations at Deir el-Medina and the Valley of the Queens, bringing priceless treasures to Turin including the intact tomb of Kha and Merit.
Temple of Ellesiya
Italy receives the rock temple of Ellesiya as a gift from Egypt, saved from the waters of the Aswan Dam. It is rebuilt inside the museum.
Major Renovation
The museum reopens after a major renovation that doubles the exhibition space and modernizes the displays with cutting-edge multimedia technology.
The Modern Museum
With over 40,000 artifacts and 900,000 annual visitors, the Egyptian Museum of Turin is the oldest museum in the world dedicated to Egyptian civilization and the second most important collection after Cairo.