“If a man make a pilgrimage round Alexandria in the morning, God will make for him a golden crown, set with pearls, perfumed with musk and camphor, and shining from the East to the West.”
― Ibn Dukmak
Sitting on the northern most part of Egypt, which is why the city is geographically considered the crown of Egypt, Alexandria is known as a famous and very busy seaport, with glorious beaches along the Mediterranean.
Because of the mix of ancient cultures it has between, the Hellenistic, the Roman, the ancient Egyptian, the Muslims, the Christians, the Jews, and all sorts of other minorities, Alexandria was known for a long time as the “The Paris of antiquity.” People combined the elements of these great cultures together in surprising ways.
Alexandria is a haven for Egyptians and tourists in the hot summer months. The northern winds, cooled down as they cross over the Mediterranean, offer relief from the desert heat broiling the rest of Egypt. Winters too, are felt cooler in the North, especially when the city receives torrential rain and even sometimes, hail.
Several dialectics and even languages are spoken in Alexandria, not just the musical Alexandria Arabic accent. Greek, French, Italian, and other languages, and dialects can be found here. Intermarriages and private education have created a blending cultural environment, offering cuisines, art, literature, and music influenced by migrants from Europe as well as other parts of the Mediterranean. Mainly though, Islam is still the dominant religion here and its rules are obediently followed by most of the population. When visiting, please remember to dress appropriately offering respect to cultural norms when walking in the city or visiting any of the sites.
Over the last couple of centuries, Alexandria has sunk between 6m and 8m, so most of what remains of the ancient city lies hidden beneath the modern city or the waters of the Mediterranean. Archaeologists and divers have unveiled many ancient treasures each year reveal dating back to the Ptolemaic period (dating from 305BC to 30BC). Sadly, on land, the story is not much better as much of Alexandria’s historical sites have been destroyed as the city has grew. The most renowned explorations have concentrated around THE FORTRESS OF QAITBEY, where it is believed that PHAROS once stood; second to that is the discovery of the Ptoelmaic royal quarter found submerged under the eastern harbour and thirdly ABOUKIR. Here, remains of two sunken cities were found. Recovered treasures from both Herakleion-Thonis and Menouthis are on view at the Antiquities Museum of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and in the Alexandria National Museum.
Myth tells us that the secret idea of this great city lied in a small golden jewelry box. It was small enough that one person would have been able to carry it. This unique war loot was fetched from the palace of the great Persian King, Darius III, after his defeat by the hands of the great Macedonian commander, Alexander the Great. Inside the box, Alexander found the epic works of Homer, the Odyssey and the Illiad, King Darius most prized position.
Later on, the myth continues to tell that Alexander had a dream where he was visited by a man with a white beard. He recognized the man as Homer, the legendary author. In the dream, Homer spoke the words “Then there is an island in a stormy sea in front of Egypt. They call it Pharos.” This island was located at the northern tip of the Nile. Immediately Alexander directed himself and some of his guards to that island. There, Alexander spent some time staring across the water at the vast coast of Africa before him. After considerable contemplation, he set his mind to build a great city on the shores he was observing. Its name shall be Alexandria. Historically, Alexander founded many cities which he named after himself and one after his horse, Bucephala. The most famous of these cities is this Alexandria, the bride of the Mediterranean. However, it was really the first Ptolemies who manifested this city into existence.
Alexandria is a city for dreamers, a place for romance and culture. Its rich history comes from being exposed to European and Asian influences throughout the centuries. It seems it will be forever remembered for its connection to Cleopatra and Alexander the Great. Originally, Its founder Alexander the Great, brought Greek and Macedonian influences. Later, Roman traditions came to this city with Mark Antony (No! not the modern-day American singer) when he joined the seductress, Cleopatra. Naturally, it was the theatre which witnessed the unfolding of their romantic but bloody episode.
This was followed by a long history of invaders during which the Persians, the Arabs, the Ottomans, the British, and the French all dominated the city at different times leaving their influences behind.
“Alexandria was the greatest intellectual melting pot the world has ever seen,” says Justin Pollard and Howard Reid, the authors of the book on the origin of ancient cities.
This influential city continued to be the magnet for scientists, philosophers, mathematicians, historians, artist, architects, poets, scholars, and ecclesiastics from all over the ancient world. It was also ruled by different superpowers throughout its long history for significance of its central location in the ancient world.
After Alexander, the city came to the hands of The Ptolemies. Following them, it was conquered by the Romans in 30BC ruling it until 391AD when the Byzantines took over the city. The latter in turn held on the city until all the fall of all Egypt the Arab conquerors in 651AD.
Alexandria rotated among different Muslim reigns for almost 8 centuries when it became an Eyalet under the administration of the Ottomans Sublime Porte in 1517. Gradually and over more than one and half century the Ottomans lost the control of Egypt to the Mamluks and the European powers that competed over the control of Egypt and Alexandria under different guises and excuses.
Another dazzling spot to visit is Fort Qaitbey which is located prominently at one end of the Alexandrian lakeshore (The Cornish.) Thought its majesty can be rivaled by what once presided over its site, the Pharaoh’s Lighthouse. The latter was considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The Pharaoh’s Lighthouse was destroyed in 1303 after a massive earthquake, but some of the stones and rubble left from the Lighthouse were saved and later used to build this fortress. The mason Shady Al-Ama’er, constructed the edifice under the patronage of the Mamlouk Sultan, Qaitbey, a Circassian. Architecturally, the citadel will give you a glimpse of fortifications used by Muslims in the 15th century.
From here, you will experience a fantastic panoramic view of the whole city as well as the Mediterranean. This is a spot for unique photographs, so don’t forget to bring your camera along.
The Circassian Mameluke Qaitbey wanted to defend Alexandria from the aggressions of the Ottoman Empire. Once completed, the fortress he built was considered the most formidable defensive stronghold in the area, not only in Egypt but all along the Mediterranean Sea. However, defeated by the Ottoman in 1512, his efforts have gone to waste.
Due to the heavy bombardment of the British navy in 1882, much of the original fort was destroyed. It was estimated that almost 30% of the shells cannoned in that invasion missed their targets and landed in the city causing much death and injuries among the residents. It also caused the destruction of many of the features of that beautiful city. Alexandria never really had recovered to its formal glory and importance since then.
After the bombardment, the citadel became derelict until the 20th century when it resumed its vitality due to the comprehensive restorative effort by the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities. Today, the Citadel is one of the top destinations of any top tours in Egypt, admired for its stature, architecture and location sitting. Majestically sitting on the thin arm of land that extends into Alexandria’s harbour, the Citadel of Qaitbey offers a dramatic view of Alexandria’s Cornish (beach walkway)
"Discovered accidentally in 1900 when a donkey disappeared through the ground, these catacombs make up the largest-known Roman burial site in Egypt and one of the last major works of construction dedicated to the religion of ancient Egypt."
The legendary library of Alexandria accumulated a massive number of books and scrolls. Though it was not the only library in the ancient world, its collection was unequal. Many scholars agree on its location, magnificence, and history. However, very little is known about its half a million collection of volumes it contained.
The library and the adjacent museum were founded either by the first or second Ptolemaic Dynasty, as most scholars argue. The establisher of that dynasty was Ptolemy I Soter, a companion and a historian of Alexander the Great (305-304 B.C.) lasting some 300 years. He turned the country into a Hellenistic kingdom with its capital Alexandria, the center for Greek culture. The dynasty ended with the tragic suicide of Cleopatra (31 B.C.) after exposing herself to an asp (Egyptian cobra.) She did this to save herself from the shame brought on by her military and political defeat by the hands of the great Roman general Octavian. The suicide concluded the war between Octavian (later the future first emperor of Rome) and Egypt, then ruled by Cleopatra and Antony. Consequently, Rome took full control of the city and the country.
Sadly, several attempts were carried out by different groups to destroy it. In the end, it succumbed to its end after being ransacked by the troops of emperor Aurelian in the 3rd century A. D. Today, it lies in the rubble beneath the salty waters of the Mediterranean Sea. In its place, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina emulates its predecessor, housing a beautiful museum and very ambitious library. It lies on the waterfront of the crown of Egypt and as a visitor to Alexandria, this building alone is sufficient to beckon you to visit.
"The valuable library of Alexandria was pillaged or destroyed; and near twenty years afterwards, the appearance of the empty shelves excited the regret and indignation of every spectator whose mind was not totally darkened by religious prejudice. The compositions of ancient genius, so many of which have irretrievably perished, might surely have been excepted from the wreck of idolatry, for the amusement and instruction of succeeding ages."
The legendary library of Alexandria accumulated a massive number of books and scrolls. Though it was not the only library in the ancient world, its collection was unequal. Many scholars agree on its location, magnificence, and history. However, very little is known about its half a million collection of volumes it contained.
The library and the adjacent museum were founded either by the first or second Ptolemaic Dynasty, as most scholars argue. The establisher of that dynasty was Ptolemy I Soter, a companion and a historian of Alexander the Great (305-304 B.C.) lasting some 300 years. He turned the country into a Hellenistic kingdom with its capital Alexandria, the center for Greek culture. The dynasty ended with the tragic suicide of Cleopatra (31 B.C.) after exposing herself to an asp (Egyptian cobra.) She did this to save herself from the shame brought on by her military and political defeat by the hands of the great Roman general Octavian. The suicide concluded the war between Octavian (later the future first emperor of Rome) and Egypt, then ruled by Cleopatra and Antony. Consequently, Rome took full control of the city and the country.
Sadly, several attempts were carried out by different groups to destroy it. In the end, it succumbed to its end after being ransacked by the troops of emperor Aurelian in the 3rd century A. D. Today, it lies in the rubble beneath the salty waters of the Mediterranean Sea. In its place, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina emulates its predecessor, housing a beautiful museum and very ambitious library. It lies on the waterfront of the crown of Egypt and as a visitor to Alexandria, this building alone is sufficient to beckon you to visit.
Ras el-Tin Palace was once the summer escape of the sultans of Egypt when the soaring summer temperatures in Cairo became unbearable. Originally built in the 1830s for the Egyptian ruler Mohammed Ali, it’s now part of a naval base. Decades later, in 1952 the last king of Egypt signed his abdicated papers. King Farouk sailed out across the harbor banished from Egypt for the rest of his life. However, the building itself is architecturally a masterpiece, and to get the best view, we would recommend you stand at the harbor waters camera in hand.
Architecturally, the palace has the same designs as a large Italian Renaissance structure. Its design is influenced by elements from those times along with Moorish and Baroque milieus. Occupying some 17,000 sq. meters (182986 ft.), not only the palace is visually stunning, its surrounded by some 13 acres of extravagant gardens inspiring its name Ras Al-Teen, the pâté of figs.
Construction started on 298, but it wasn’t inaugurated until 302AD to honor the victory of the Roman emperor Diocletian (despite being named Pompey’s Pillar) over an Alexandrian revolt. At the time of its installation, it carried a giant a colossal porphyry statue (purple was considered the light of royalty) of the emperor Diocletian in armour.
This Roman column in Alexandria is the largest of its type constructed outside both the western and eastern Roman empires. The monument stands some 88 ft. (27 meters) high, including its base and capital, and originally would have supported a statue some 23 ft. (7 meters) tall. It is one of the largest ancient monoliths and one of the largest monolithic columns ever erected.
During a visit to the city, Ibn Battuta, a Berber Muslim scholar and explorer from Morocco, wrote about an archer who shot an arrow tied to a string over the column to enable him to climb over the top of the pillar. It seems that this was not the last time someone did that.
More recently, commander Shortland of her majesty’s navy, flew a kite strung to a rope above the column which was followed by a ladder tied to the rope. Once the ladder was secured, he climbed the column on February 3rd, 1803 with a friend and displayed the British flag (The Union Flag), drank a toast honouring King George III, and ended the excursion with three cheers. A few days later he did the same things except this time he had a steak before toasting to the king. Groan!
Though no longer existing, we cannot speak of Alexandria without talking about the fabled Lighthouse. The Lighthouse of Alexandria (named Pharos of Alexandria in ancient Greek) represented the prototype for lighthouses since its erection. The Pharaoh Ptolemy II Philadelphus (280–247 BC) started the construction on this mesmerizing structure at the height of 330 ft. (100 meters.) However, it was completed during the life of his successor, his son Ptolemy III, taking 12 years to complete.
The august Lighthouse was well established among the seven wonders of the Ancient world for being the tallest man-made edifice in the world then.
Unfortunately, the Lighthouse was dramatically damaged by three separate earthquakes occurring between 956-1323 AD. Persistently, parts of it remained until the year 1480AD sultan Qaitbey decided to build a fort in its location. He ordered the use of the previously discarded stones from the historical Lighthouse for his plan.
To understand the elegance of design of this Lighthouse, you need to learn about how it used to produce its light. At night, a furnace was placed at the top of the tower as a beacon for ships coming into the harbour. During the day, however, mirrors at the apex reflected the sun’s rays towards ships until close to sunset when the fire was lit again. Ceremoniously, A stature of Poseidon or Zeus was said to have stood atop the Lighthouse. These descriptions were written in the writings of El-Andaloussi, an Arab traveler who described the lighthouse during his visit around 1166AD. Many other travellers have recorded similar or less elaborate description of the city and it unique pillar.
Sadly, the grand Lighthouse of Alexandria was destroyed when a series of earthquakes (956AD, 1030AD and in 1323AD) irreparably damaged it. The final remnants of the massive structure disappeared when in 1480 the sultan of Egypt at the time, QAITBEY, built a picturesque medieval fort on the tower’s site using much of the fallen stone from the Lighthouse.
In 1994, a Greek archaeologist found the physical remains of the Lighthouse on the seabed of Alexandria’s eastern harbour. Expeditions continue today to reveal more details about the famed Lighthouse.
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