Alexandria first came to existence when the young Macedonian leader, Alexander the Great, chose it to become the capital of Graeco – Roman Egypt in 332 B.C. Not only was it Ancient Egypt’s centre of learning, but it was also a tempestuous historical setting that witnessed the famous relationship of Mark Antony and Cleopatra.

Alexandria was the largest pre – industrial city in the world, with a population that reached something between 500, 000 and 1,000,000 before the Industrial Revolution. Today, there are an approximate 4.1 million nationals residing in Alexandria. This number is highly inflated in the summer months when Egyptians from nearby cities move to Alexandria to enjoy the sea and the cooler weather.

Sightseeing in Alexandria:

-          Bibliotheca Alexandria:

The establishment of the new Bibliotheca Alexandria was for the purpose of reliving Alexandria as the global window connecting Egypt with the outside world. The building is extraordinary in design and architecture, persuading visitors to enter on sight.

Bibliotheca  Alexandrina is a revival of the ancient library of Alexandria that once stood to be a vital centre for research and learning. The library was originally founded by the Ptolemy II in 288 B.C. as he continued what his father had started with the first part of the library complex. The complex included collections of papyrus scrolls that were later replaced with parchment codices; yet so far, it has been impossible to determine the size of the collection.

The Ancient Library, that once stood to be the world’s largest library in the world, was destroyed by fire on several occasions. Fires were common at that time due to the numerous conquests that included Julius Caesar’s in 48 B.C. and later the Muslim conquest.

Occupying an area of 70,000 square meters, the Bibliotheca Alexandria includes several main reading halls, a collection of manuscripts and rare books, an Antiquities museum, a planetarium, a conference centre, art galleries, a manuscript restoration laboratory, and many culturally intriguing exhibitions and facilities.

The architecturally flawless building is modern and remarkable. It is formed of a 32 – meter – high, glass paneled roof titled out toward the Mediterranean Sea for an astonishing view. The outer wall is made of authentic grey Aswan granite carved with symbols from over 120,000 scripts. The rebuilt library is set to meet the challenge of the digital age and to become a vital centre for tolerance, learning, and dialogue for visitors from all over the world.

-          The Pharos:

Built as a navigational landmark, the Pharos was constructed early in the Ptolemaic Period to become a unique mélange of architectural grace and functionality. It was once the tallest man – made building ever to exist. Although its original height remains unknown, it is estimated to have been approximately 115 – 135 meters. The Antipater of Sidon, a Greek poet who lived through the second century B.C., listed the Pharos as one among Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

The Pharos was built to serve as a symbol of hope for sailors to comfort them and ensure their safe return to the great harbor. It was constructed of three stages: a lower section with a central core, a middle octagonal section, and a top circular section. A mirror, whose reflection could be seen almost 50 Km away, was positioned at the apex of the lighthouse during the Roman period to reflect sunlight during daytime and light from a fire lit throughout the night.

Unfortunately, the Pharos was destroyed by two earthquakes in the 14th century A.D., yet it remains to be an archetype for lighthouses all over the Mediterranean and, eventually, the world. Remains of this legendary lighthouse were found by divers in 1994 in Alexandria’s eastern harbor. Satellite images revealed more remains around the Fortress of Qaitbay that now occupies  where the Pharos once stood.

-          Qaitbay Citadel:

The fortress of Qaitbay was initially built by the Mamluk Sultan Al Ashraf Qaitbay in 1480 A.D. The fortification of Alexandria was an important defensive stronghold in the face of the turks during the 15th century A.D.

The fortress is located on the eastern harbor on the eastern part of the Pharos Island. It was build in two years to occupy the outstanding strategic location of the old Pharos and continued to function as a defense mechanism throughout the Mamlouk and Ottoman empires until it fell to the French armies in 1798 during the French expedition. Restored to regain its important defensive state by Mohamed Ali in 1805, the citadel was destroyed again during the English bombardment in 1883.

Qaitbay Citadel was reinstated as a recreational facility in 1904, after several years of abandonment, when King Farouk ordered its restoration to become a royal rest house. With the fall of the King during 1952 Egyptian revolution, the Egyptian Antiquities Organization adopted several plans and attempts to restore this historical legend that now stands to be one of the main attractions of the great city of Alexandria.

One of the exciting sights to see in this citadel is a declaration by Sultan Qaitbay that a punishment of death is to be imposed on those who try to steal anything from the citadel, carved on a marble slate fixed on the door leading to the main court.

- The Pompeye's Pillar

 The Memorial of Diocletian was built sometime between 284 and 305 A.D. by the Roman ruler of Egypt at the time, in honor of the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Also known as the Memorial of Diocletian and Amoud El Sawari in Arabic (Column of the Horsemen), the pillar was intended to be a sign of gratitude from the Alexandrian public to the Emperor for his kindness and mercy.

When Emperor Diocletian besieged the city of Alexandria, famine spread. Wanting to resolve the dilemma, he ordered that a portion of the corn being sent to Rome was to be distributed among the people, in addition to sparing them from tax payment during those hard times.

The huge column made of red genuine Aswan granite became the biggest memorial pillar in Egypt, with a height of 28 meters and a base diameter of 2.7 meters. It was mistakenly called Pompeye’s Pillar because the Crusaders believed that the ashes and remains of the Roman General Pompeye, murdered in Egypt in 48 B.C., were placed on top of the column.

The pillar is associated with other monuments, including the remains of Serapanium, a temple built on the backside during the reigns of Ptolemy II and Ptolemy III for the god of Serapis. It was destroyed once during the revolts of the Jewish population in Alexandria, and again with the emergence of Christianity.

The complex where the pillar stands includes a basin that was used for purification, in addition rock. The first included a black statue of basalt in the shape of a bull representing the God of Serapis, now on display at the Graeco – Roman Museum, and three sphinxes. The second was incorrectly known as the daughter Library that is now believed to be a burial site.

 

-          Abu Al Abbas Al Mursi Mosque:

Abu Al Abbas Al Mursi Mosque was built in 1775 A.D. on the eastern harbor of Alexandria over a tomb of a Spanish scholar and saint.

Abu Al Abbas was born to a wealthy Andalusian family in 1219. He lived and worked as a prominent scholar and teacher in Alexandria for 43 years until his death in 1286. His tomb became a pilgrimage for Muslims from Egypt and other Islamic regions when the rich trader El Sheikh Zein El Din Ibn El Qattan funded a mausoleum and small dome for the tomb in addition to a small mosque in 1307.

It was occasionally restored until a much larger mosque was built by Sheikh Abu El Hassan El Maghreby, and its renovation was finally completed in 1863 when the ritual of celebrating the birth of Abu Al Abbas became an annual festival. Its most recent beautification process was carried out under the reign of King Farouk in 1943.

The mosque now stands 23 meters high and includes a minaret erecting 73 meters to its side. The design of the minaret dates back to Ayyubid period, with four sections of four different designs. The mosque has one entrance to the north and another to the east.

The ceiling is covered with Arabesque, old Islamic architectural designs, and colored glass set into aluminum frames. The skylight is enclosed within four domes placed over four mausoleums within the complex.

The floors of the mosque are paved with white marble, whereas the doors and windows are made of finely carved strong wood. An elevated platform is capped by a dome where versus of the Quran are written at the top in French gold and Arabic scripts at the base of the mosque’s minaret.

An ablution area could be found on the western side of the mosque with its own entrance, in addition to a special worship area for women with a private entrance. Women without a head cover could enjoy exploring the mosque from behind a railing.

-          The Graeco – Roman Museum:

The Graeco – Roman Museum is a captivating record of civilization in Egypt’s process of change and societal evolution. It was built in 1892 by Khedive Abbas Helmy II to introduce various collections of Egyptian scenery affected by Greek influences. The design of the building is an inspirational classical antiquity of six columns with a triangular base that bears the inscription MOYXEION, which is Greek for substantive motion.

The museum consists of 27 halls displaying Greek and Roman artworks of Egypt in which visitors can enjoy the wide diversity of marble, stone, and clay artifacts and monuments. Of these monuments is the black statue Apis Bull that was taken from the site of Pompeye’s Pillar, pieces of shrine dedicated to the crocodile God Pnepheros, mummies, headless sphinxes, and coins dating back from 630 B.C. and until the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century.

-          The Catacombs of Kom El Shouqafa:

The catacombs were discovered in 1900, when a donkey fell into a pit that turned out to be the access well to this Wonder of the Medievel World. Its name, Kom el – Shouqafa, is the Arabic translation of the ancient Greek name Lofus Kiramaikos, meaning potsherds. This Alexandrian necropolis consists of a series of Pharaonic tombs influenced by the early Imperial Roman Era.

It is believed that the cemetery was initially used by a single wealthy family but was later used publicly by dues – paying members. The cemetery dates back to the 1st century AD and was used for three centuries.

The catacombs are structured with a ground level, which probably served as a funeral chapel, connected to three underground levels via a deep spiral stairway. On the first underground level, visitors can reach a separate set of tombs that lead to what is known as the Hall of Caracalla. This hallway was used by family and friends ritually feasting in memory of the deceased.

The stairway descends further to the second underground level, the main tomb, with various surrounding corridors that are rich with sculpture. There are also carvings of a man and woman who both assume the rigid hieratic pose found in ancient Egyptian sculpture, but the woman adopts a Roman hairstyle. It is presumed that they were the original occupants of the Catacombs. The third and final level is submerged in groundwater which resulted in its saturation with sand.

The unique atmosphere and exquisite layout make this site unlike anything in the world, with the combination of pure ancient Egyptian funerary motifs and the amazing twist of Greco – Roman styles added by the architects.

-          Al Montazah Palace & Gardens:

This 115 acre complex is surrounded by marvelous walls from the south, east, and west with the beach covering its north. It is admired by visitors because of its numerous impressive gardens and palm trees. The park provides exquisite scenery with its rich gardens, ornamental shrubs, colorful flowerbeds and palm trees, making it a popular attraction for youngsters.

Al Montazah includes a clock tower, Montazah Palace, Helnan Palestine Hotelm Salamlek Palace Hotel, and Henry’s house. All gardens could be accessed freely, as well as the museum, restaurant, children’s zoo and play area, and the sheltered area of Belvedere Hotel – most renowned for fishing. However, access to the palaces is restricted, although they could be seen from a distance.

Al Montazah is the Arabic translation for park. Sometime ago, Montazah was a popular spot for royal palaces. The area that once belonged to Mohammed Ali’s family was used by King Abbas II, Egypt’s last Khedive, in 1892 to build a large palace called Salamlek. The palace was constructed to serve as the royal family’s summer residence. In 1932, King Fouad built a larger palace called Haramlik. Later, his son, King Farouk built a Victorian – style bridge to act as a waterfront. In 1952, after the exile of king Farouk to Italy and the fall of the monarchy in Egypt, late President Anwar El Sadat renovated the Salamlek Palace to become the official presidential residence.