Author: Mohammed Eldeeb

Alexandria’s Catacombs of Kom El Shokafa are a fascinating sight.

As a result of its creation, the city of Alexandria has gained tremendous significance, and it is now regarded the cultural and commercial epicentre of the Mediterranean region. The Catacombs of Kom El Shokafa are a major tourist attraction in Alexandria, and they are one of the city’s most popular attractions.

It is situated on the street of “Bab El Melok” in the “Karmoz” district, on the right side of the street. The Catacombs of Alexandria are regarded to be one of the most important archaeological sites in the city. In their design, they combine elements of Greco-Roman architecture with elements of ancient Egyptian architecture.

The Catacombs Are Known By a Different Name

Because it incorporates the architecture of the Christian Catacombs in Rome, this location is referred to as “The Catacombs,” which translates as “the subway tunnel.” It is also referred to as “Kom El Shokafa,” which literally translates as “mountain of pieces,” since it was discovered to contain the remnants of shattered crockery. ‘Kom El Shokafa’ is a designation that originates in ancient Greek culture.

The Catacombs’ Origins and Discovery are described in detail.

It is believed that the Catacombs were constructed somewhere between the first and the beginning of the second centuries. It was originally thought to be a private tomb, but it was eventually extended and changed into a public cemetery for affluent Roman citizens. Quite by coincidence, it was found in 1892.

According to legend, a donkey fell into a 12-meter-deep hole excavated in the earth by a farmer. When the Catacombs were found, they had been submerged in water for a long time. In 1995, the bottom level of the Catacombs was drowned, and six wells with a depth of 40 metres were dug to rescue the Catacombs and keep them safe from further harm.

The Catacombs are being built at the moment.

The Catacombs were constructed on three levels and decorated with bas-reliefs that are thought to be a fusion of Egyptian and Greco-Roman art styles. A spiral staircase runs from the entryway to a depth of 20 metres, which is located behind the building. After entering the entryway, you will see two niches that lead to a circular area.

A traffic circle with pillars is located in the middle of the space, and a chamber with four pillars is located on the left side of the room. Another room with four columns may be seen on the second floor. For example, Greek decorations such as “Athena” (goddess of war, civilization, and wisdom in Greek mythology) and “Medusa” (female monster) can be found at the entrance to the main chamber, and its date has a solar disc with two snakes, one to the right and one left, who are carrying the crowns of Upper and Lower Egypt.

There are three niches dug in the rock inside this room, each of which contains a sarcophagus, within this chamber. The room is decorated with four columns and statues of ancient Egyptian gods, including Anubis (the jackal-headed deity) dressed as a Roman soldier and Sobek in military attire, among others.

Visit the Alexandria Attractions to learn more.

Alexandria is home to a variety of attractions, including the Library of Alexandria, which is world-renowned. For our Egypt holiday packages, don’t miss out on the chance to explore this essential site together with other major places such as Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan. You may also take advantage of one of our Nile cruises to see some of the most significant sites on the planet.

the pillar of Pompey in Alexandria

Alexandria is regarded to be a highly popular tourist destination in Egypt, and it has played a significant role in the history of the nation. There are several attractions in the city of Alexandria that draw visitors from all over the globe, including many historical sites.

Pompey’s Pillar is a significant landmark in the city, and it deserves special mention. It is regarded as beautiful building that is shrouded in mystery due to the fact that it has a mysterious past. In the area of “Karmoz,” next to the Catacombs, sits this establishment. The Pompey Pillar is the tallest structure in Egypt.

Pompey’s Pillar: Its Origins and Development

Pompey’s Pillar was constructed in 297 during the Roman Empire to commemorate Emperor Diocletian’s victory against General Aquileus in the fight of the Battle of Actium. According to legend, Pompey (a politician and general) was assassinated by Ptolemy XIII (Cleopatra’s brother and husband) and his head was buried in this location. However, this is not true, as shown by the fact that his head was not buried here.

Pompey’s Pillar is being built at the moment.

Pompey’s Pillar was constructed using red granite quarried in the Aswan region. The axis of the pillar, excluding the base and capital, stands at a height of 20.46 metres (46 feet). The base is 2.71 metres in diameter. The pillar stands at a total height of 26.85 metres. It has a total weight of 285 tonnes.

The remnants of the temple of Serapeo, which was demolished by Roman troops or the Christian mafia, may be found in the vicinity of the Pillar of Pompey. There are two sculptures in the shape of sphinxes, both constructed of pink granite during the reign of Ptolemy VI, and one of them has hieroglyphics of the XVIII dynasty’s monarch “Horemheb,” which is shown in the other.

Experience the thrill of adventure in the Land of the Pharaohs.

For the possibility to see additional sites in Egypt, such as Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and Hurgada in addition to Alexandria, look into one of our Egypt trip packages! Additionally, you may take one of our Nile cruises to make vital trips to Upper Egypt.

Alexandria’s magnificent library is a treasure trove of knowledge.

Egypt is a diverse country with a diverse range of places. The major towns of the Mediterranean region brought substantial libraries with them. Alexandria, known as “the Pearl of the Mediterranean,” is a fascinating city that draws visitors because of its natural beauty and pleasant environment.

There are several attractions in Alexandria, but its library is the most well-known. The Library of Alexandria is often regarded as the most important tourist attraction in Alexandria. There was a point in history when it was home to the biggest library on the planet. In terms of size, it is the biggest library in Egypt.

The Alexandria Library’s illustrious past

Ptolemy I of Alexandria began construction on the first Library of Alexandria in the third century. It was finished by his son Ptolemy II, who also completed the link to the museum. The library was constructed by the Ptolemies in order to preserve Greek civilisation.

During the third century, the library had a collection of about 400 thousand volumes. The Library, which dates back to the 5th century, has 700 thousand volumes. Initially, the Library exclusively contained books written in Greek, but as time went on, it began to hold works of relevance written in any language. It was the first time that the Library was destroyed by fire, which occurred in 84 B.C.

After then, there were a number of assaults by Christians and Arabs, as well as a devastating earthquake. The Library was restored in 1986 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The new Library of Alexandria, which houses more than 20 million volumes, opened its doors in 2002.

The Library of Alexandria was built over a period of many years.

The design is in the manner of Norway. It has an area of 80 m2. Calligraphy in many languages is adorned with calligraphy in granite, cement, and glass, which dates the building.

The deity Ra is shown on the book’s cover (god of the south). The sun is reflected off the glass panels and towards the Mediterranean. There includes a science museum, a calligraphy museum, and an archaeology museum, among others.

A manuscript restoration laboratory, a meeting facility, an art gallery, and a printing press are all available on the premises. In the heart of the Library, there is a hypostyle reading room with a capacity of 2 thousand people that serves as a meeting space. In addition, there are six specialist libraries, one of which is devoted exclusively to children.

Books; the Library has a significant collection of books, almost 20 million in total. Some of these books are first editions or very rare. There are 50 thousand maps, 100 thousand manuscripts, 50 thousand unique books, and 100 thousand audio recordings in the collection.

multimedia, 50 thousand visual multimedia, and a slew of additional options

Excursions to Alexandria are available.

The Library of Alexandria is a popular tourist destination in Alexandria, and it is worth seeing. In addition to Alexandria, Egypt via travel provides you the option to visit other sites in Egypt such as Cairo and a Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan. Take a look at our numerous holiday packages to Egypt to find out more and select your ideal trip.

The Citadel of Qaitbay is located in Alexandria, Egypt.

Alexandria, known as the “jewel of the Mediterranean,” is home to a plethora of noteworthy sites. The Citadel of Qaitbay, located in Alexandria, is a popular tourist destination. The Citadel of Qaitbay was a strategically significant fortification on Egypt’s Mediterranean shore and on the edge of the Nile.

The Citadel is located in the eastern part of Alexandria’s harbour, near where the Island of Faro used to be. Originally constructed on the site of Alexandria’s famed lighthouse, which was regarded one of the seven wonders of the ancient world until it was destroyed by another earthquake in the 14th century, the Citadel is one of the most impressive structures in the world.

The Citadel of Qaitbay Has a Long and Profound History

To protect northern Egypt from the Ottomans, the Mamluk Sultan “Al-Ashraf Saif Al-Din Qaitbay” imported art and architecture and renovated many buildings, more than 70 buildings, such as madrasahs (Islamic schools), mosques, government offices, public fountains, and the citadels of Alexandria and Rosetta (the city of Rashid).

Qaitbay began construction on the Citadel of Qaitbay in 1477, during the 15th century. When it was part of the Mamluk Empire, it was regarded as a defensive fortification by the Ottomans. The Citadel was also utilised for security and defence when the Ottomans conquered the city.

The Ottoman military was weakened as a result of the French invasion in Egypt, and the Citadel’s military significance was diminished as a result of this. When Muhammad Ali (the king and creator of modern Egypt) reconstructed the Citadel in 18th-century Egypt, the Citadel was also renovated by his successors, who continued to import goods from the Citadel until the Orabi insurrection in 1882.

When the British navy bombed the city of Alexandria in July 1882, the city, particularly the region around the Citadel, sustained significant damage. The Citadel remained abandoned until 1904, when King Faruq I restored it to its former glory as the royal home.

The military personnel took over the building and turned it into a maritime museum in 1952. The Citadel’s major repair project began in 1984, when the Supreme Council of Antiquities outlined plans for the project.

The Citadel of Qaitbay is currently under construction.

The building of the Qaitbay Fort took two years and covered an area of 17550 square metres. Qagmas Al-Eshagy is the architect who designed the fortification. Approximately one hundred thousand dinars were spent on its construction, according to certain estimates. Surrounded by water on three sides, the Citadel is an impressive structure.

The main edifice, a square structure with four circular towers, has three stories. The remnants of the Lighthouse of Alexandria were used to construct the massive wall that surrounds the structure, as well as an inside wall and the main tower. The trek through its yellow corridors, which give the sensation of being in a labyrinth, is a pleasant one to take pleasure in.

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Check out our Egypt holiday packages or Nile cruises between Luxor and Aswan to learn more about the city of Alexandria and other cities that serve as a reflection of the great Egyptian civilisation, and then choose the trip that best suits your interests.