Raya and Sakina were the first women in the history of modern Egypt to be sentenced to death by a civil court.
The sisters operated their crimes between 1920 and 1921, ultimately leading to the discovery of 17 bodies.
The crime ring involved their husbands and two other male accomplices who helped bury the victims beneath the house.
The case caused a massive public outcry in Egypt and led to the creation of numerous films, books, and plays based on their exploits.
Local police initially dismissed reports of missing women until the cumulative evidence became impossible to ignore.
The original house was part of a broader network of homes used by the pair, though this specific address became the focal point of the investigation.
The House of Raya and Sakina is a notorious historical site in the Al Labban district of Alexandria, Egypt, serving as the former residence of Egypt's most infamous female serial killers. During the early 1920s, sisters Raya and Sakina Hammam lured women to this location to steal their gold jewelry before murdering them. The residence has been converted into a macabre tourist site that chronicles the investigation and subsequent trial of the duo. Visitors can view the basement area where the bodies were discovered buried under the floorboards. The site provides insight into the post-World War I socioeconomic conditions in Alexandria that facilitated these crimes. It remains a significant point of interest for those studying Egyptian criminal history and urban legend. The building is located in an older, densely populated neighborhood, reflecting the original environment of the crime scene.
The entrance plaque and the basement floor access point.
Visit with a local guide who can provide historical context and translate displays, as most information is in Arabic.
Be aware that the area is a working-class residential neighborhood, not a polished modern museum.
The space is very compact; avoid visiting with large groups or during busy weekends to maintain personal space.
Avoid taking unauthorized photographs of local residents living in the immediate vicinity of the house.
Maintain a respectful and somber demeanor; this is a site of genuine historical tragedy.
