Dear friends,
The Basilica of Heliopolis is an iconic monument of Cairo and a testimony of Belgian presence in Egypt. It was built by Baron Edouard Empain, who is buried there. Today, this monument is endangered and has to be renovated.
The « Friends of the Basilique » Fund, managed by the King Baudouin Foundation, is an initiative aiming to gather financial support from donors in Belgium. The grants received will be managed by the fund and pay for bills presented by the owner of the building, the Latin Vicariate in Alexandria. All details are to be found below.
I strongly encourage you to support financially our initiative; it will strengthen the enduring presence of Belgium in Egypt and the fruitful and friendly relations bonding us since the birth of Belgium and modern Egypt.
– François Cornet d’Elzius
Ambassador of Belgium in Cairo
Founder of Friends of the Basilique
Behind the Basilica's Architecture
The Basilica was built between 1910 and 1913 according to the plans of Alexandre Marcel.
Architect Alexandre Marcel (1860-1928) was well known in Belgium as he was also the architect of the Chinese Pavilion, the Japanese Tower in Laeken, and the Enghien Castle.
Empain's Basilica
When General Baron Edouard Empain passed away in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre in 1929, he had requested that his remains be laid to rest in the crypt of the Basilica of Heliopolis.
Through this decision, he wanted to emphasize the unbreakable ties between the Empain group and both Belgium and Egypt. Edouard Empain had established various companies there, such as the Cairo Tramways, the Lower Egypt Railways, and the Cairo Electric Railways and Heliopolis Company, to name a few.
Edouard Empain (1852-1929) had established various companies in Egypt, such as the Cairo Tramways, the Lower Egypt Railways, and the Cairo Electric Railways and Heliopolis Company, to name a few.
Heliopolis, the City of the Sun
As a partner of Boghos Nubar Pasha, an Armenian engineer and businessman, Empain built a new city in the middle of the desert about fifteen kilometers from Cairo, which would be called Heliopolis, the city of the sun.
The focal point of the new city would be a Byzantine-style basilica, inspired by the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople. All the expenses for its construction were personally covered by Edouard Empain.
The Basilica of Heliopolis is a monument of
historical significance
Today, it is in danger and requires significant restoration both internally and externallyA Belgian Legacy
This endeavour is not just about preserving a historic structure but honouring Belgium’s enduring legacy.
The Baron Empain, Heliopolis, and its iconic buildings are the main visit card of Belgium in Egypt. Belgium indeed stands in Egypt for entrepreneurship, modernity, industrial achievement, and longtime friendship without political afterthoughts.
Egypt stands among Belgium’s leading export markets in Africa and the Middle East. Success for our companies depends largely on our country’s global image of industrial excellence, and steadfast friendship. Therefore, it is important the Belgium contribute to maintaining the legacy of Baron Empain.
Restoring the Basilica
The Basilica has graced the city for over a century, witnessing the passage of time and serving the community. Signs of wear and deterioration, inside and out, had become increasingly evident, marking the need for comprehensive restoration. The effects of weather, trapped water, and past interventions with incompatible materials had taken their toll, leading to structural vulnerabilities.
The restoration journey began with rigorous studies, engineering reports, and laboratory tests, facilitating approvals and permits from government agencies. The consulting office of Maher Andraws A&P (Architects & Planners) orchestrated every facet of the restoration, overseeing various experts to restore the Basilique to its former glory. The necessary permits have been granted.
Our board members
Friends of the Basilique Fund is a Belgian initiative led by François Cornet d’Elzius, the Belgian Ambassador in Egypt, and Amélie d’Arschot, historian and author of Le Roman d’Héliopolis of Weyrich Editions; she is the descendant of Boghos Nubar Pacha, the partner of Édouard Empain in building Heliopolis.
The initiative aims to collect funds in Belgium to contribute to the restauration of the basilica, highlighting the Belgian cultural heritage in Egypt and contributing to the longstanding friendship between Egypt and Belgium.
The funds gathered will be managed by the board of Friends of the Basilique, constituted by the founders, the Fondation Roi Baudouin, and an independent expert, Mrs Marie Cécile Bruwier. It will control and pay the invoices submitted by the Egyptian administration of the basilica, and report to the donors
Amélie d'Arschot
Founder
Historian and descendant of Boghos Nubar Pasha
François Cornet d’Elzius
Founder
Belgian Ambassador in Egypt
Marie-Cécile Bruwier
Independent Expert
Egyptologist
Amélie d'Arschot
Founder
Historian and descendant of Boghos Nubar Pasha
François Cornet d’Elzius
Founder
Belgian Ambassador in Egypt
Marie-Cécile Bruwier
Independent Expert
Egyptologist
Budget and Financial Plan
Raised €83,250
Goal €758,600
The restoration project will cover the structural rehabilitation, interior decoration restoration, architectural artefact conservation, and sustainable maintenance measures. Contributions from individuals, organisations, and philanthropic entities are actively sought to achieve this goal. A generous donation of scaffolding by a leading Belgian international contractor significantly reduces the financial burden.
The restoration budget is split in several independent items, which allows the external sponsors to better monitor the use of their grant.
The Fondation Roi Baudoin/Koning Boudewijnstichting management ensures that donation will be tax-deductible.
You can follow these links allowing you to make direct online donations
Offline donations can be sent to the following bank account. A fiscal attest will be sent upon receipt.
- IBAN: BE10 0000 0000 0404
- BIC/SWIFT: BPOTBEB1
- Bank: BPOST Bank
Donations should be sent with the label
« Fonds des Amis de la Basilique de Notre-Dame d’Héliopolis »
and the coded communication +++623/3822/80042+++
Breakdown of the costs
The breakdown of our budget outlined in this PDF encompasses the components essential to restoring the Basilique.
| Installation of exterior architectural items | (cornices, columns, murals, decorations) Restoration of exterior architectural items | (cornices, columns, murals, decorations) Replacement of damaged exterior architectural items | (cornices, columns, murals, decorations) Restoration of stained glass windows above the main entrances
| Restoration of the 5 external wooden entrance doors
| Structural reinforcement of central dome
| Restoration of marble floors, staircases & entrances
| Replacement of damaged floor marble, staircases & entrances
| Restoration, cleaning & maintenance of the 4 stained glass icons
| Restoration of cracks & internal joints of the church
| Restoration of gates & iron fence | Painting in colour similar to the archaeological original External insulation works (Roofs, domes, towers)
| External insulation works (Roofs, domes, towers)
| Replacement of the old plaster
| Artificial stone whitening similar to the archaeological original
| Sanitary Works
| Electricity Works
| Lighting Works
| Maintenance of central air conditioning equipment
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