Along Alexandria's western shore, and past the shipyards, you'll discover Ras El-Tin Palace, a marvel of Mediterranean architecture, which was originally built in the 1830s for Egyptian ruler Mohamed Ali and is now part of the country's military naval base. The palace was distinguished by its classic architectural design, with spacious interior courtyards, ornate tiles, and stucco ceilings. The palace has an important military and political importance. Here King Farouk I signed his abdication papers in 1952.