Alexandria

blog-image

Alexandria

  • Egypt Distinations

Egypt's largest city and home to the urban muḥāfaẓah (governorate) is Alexandria. Alexandria, formerly one of the greatest cities in the Mediterranean and a hub of Greek education and science, served as Egypt's capital from its establishment by Alexander the Great in 332 BCE until its fall to ſAmr ibn al-ʿĀṣ's Arab armies in 642 CE. Alexandria, one of Egypt's biggest cities, serves as both the country's main seaport and a significant industrial hub. Approximately 114 miles (183 km) northwest of Cairo in Lower Egypt, the city is situated on the Mediterranean Sea at the western side of the Nile River delta. Area city: 300 square kilometers, or 116 square miles.

Share

John Doe

Bibliotheca Alexandrina

Although it may seem impossible to replace Alexandria's historic library, which was among the best of all classical establishments, the modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina skillfully does this. This striking example of contemporary architecture was purposefully designed to capture the essence of the original center of study and culture when it opened its doors in 2002. The complex is now one of Egypt's most important cultural hubs, hosting a number of foreign artists and housing an impressive array of institutions. The structure resembles a massive angled discus that is buried in the ground and represents a second sun emerging from the Mediterranean. More than 120 distinct human scripts are represented in the letters, pictograms, hieroglyphs, and symbols etched into the granite outer walls.

John Doe

Alexandria National Museum

This outstanding museum's overview of Alexandria's history sets a high standard. The tiny but carefully chosen and labeled collection, housed in a beautifully restored Italianate palace, does an excellent job of telling the history of the city from antiquity to the modern era. Keep an eye out in particular for the stunning tanagra, or terracotta figurines of Greek women, and the underwater finds in the Mediterranean.

John Doe

Catacombs of Kom Ash Shuqqafa

These catacombs, which were unintentionally found in 1900 when a donkey fell through the ground, are the largest known Roman burial site in Egypt and among the last significant structures devoted to the ancient Egyptian religion. Using a Graeco-Roman approach, the architects showcased Alexandria's signature blend of Greek and Pharaonic forms. The 35-meter-deep bedrock catacombs are divided into three levels of tombs and rooms; the lowest level is inaccessible due to flooding.

Write a review for Alexandria

100 characters remaining

Hospitals in Alexandria

Destinations

Specialties