Egyptian authorities have defended renovation works at a historic Cairo palace after the site's new look sparked criticism on social media.
The site, dubbed the Baron Palace, was built between 1907 and 1911 by wealthy Belgian industrialist Edouard Empain.
The baron also spearheaded the development of the surrounding upmarket neighbourhood of Heliopolis.
Scroll through the gallery above to see more images from the restoration of the Baron Palace.
Built in a style reminiscent of the Cambodian Hindu temple of Angkor Wat, the striking building set amid lush gardens has long since fallen into disrepair. However, work to restore the building has sparked outcry.
Many have taken issue with white marble additions to the building's rosy pink stone exterior, saying the materials are of poor quality and not in keeping with the original style.
One Twitter user asked: "Who is the fool behind the restoration of Egypt's palaces? Our heritage is being systematically destroyed."
A Facebook page called Egyptian Historians chided officials for the "warped" restoration. "Be honest with yourselves and admit that you ruined it ... you are literally demolishing our monuments," a post on the group's page said.
Antiquities Minister Khaled El-Enany dismissed online criticisms as "fake news".
"I didn't hear one word of truth in all these social media comments," he said in a statement.
His ministry said the colours of the palace had faded from weather damage over many years.
"The restoration is a real dream and we will breathe life into this abandoned landmark," Enany added.
General Hisham Samir, who heads up the ministry's engineering branch, said the colours were "correct and are backed up by historical sources".
The works began in July 2017 in co-operation with the Belgian government and will cost 100 million Egyptian pounds (Dh22.1 million), the statement added.
The work is expected to be completed the end of the year, Samir said, with plans to open the building to the public by early 2020.
The government has recently launched various restoration projects to stimulate tourism, a key sector that has suffered in recent years due to political insecurity and sporadic terrorist attacks.
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if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning.
The trains
Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.
The hotels
Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.
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The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
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A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
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