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 About Egypt Alexandria Tourist information |
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 The Building of Alexandria:
Alexandria, known as the "Pearl of the Mediterranean", is the second largest city in Egypt. . The ambience and cultural heritage distance it from the rest of the country although it is actually only 225 km. from Cairo.
- Originally, founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Alexandria became the capital of Egypt during the Greco-Roman period. It bares the lighthouse that was one of the Seven Wonders of the World . It’s a legendry country that regarded the stormy relationship between Cleopatra
and Mark Anthony.
Alexandria was also the center of learning in the ancient world, baring the great library of Alexandria . Following the Greco-Roman period  was the Arab period where Amr Ebn El-Aas changed the Capital from Alexandria to be Al-Fustat or Cairo , nowadays. Alexandria glamour declined during that period, but then in 1789 the French army led by Napoleon Bonaparte entered Alexandria , and captured it easily with little resistance. But then in 1799 the French expiation was conquered in front of the British army who defeated the French army in the famous battle know as “Abu-Quir battle”. And since then the city of Alexandria witnessed a lot of battles and military confrontations between different armies; Egyptian, ottoman, Mameluoks and the British.
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From the 19th century Alexandria took a new role, as a focus for Egypt's commercial and maritime expansion. Generations of immigrants from Greece, Italy and the Levant settled here and made the city synonymous with commerce, cosmopolitanism and bohemian culture.
 The oldest area in Alexandria , is El-Gumrok (customs district dates back to the 16 th Century) Anfushi, and Ras el-Tin ( Cape of Figs ). The latter two districts dates back to the period of Mohammed Ali (1805-49). Collectively, these districts are known to westerners as the Turkish Quarter. They have had a number of ups and downs over the years, particularly due to the plague during the 17th century. The area forms somewhat of a T shape, dividing the Eastern Harbor from the Western Harbor .
 This section of Alexandria is known to us more from books then what we may actually see in the area. Where the Pharos Lighthouse once stood, is now occupied by the Fort of Quit Bay , out on the area that circles up around the top of Eastern Harbor forming the eastern section of the top of the T. Heading south from the Fort of Quit Bay, we come to the stunning Abu El-Abbas Mosque . West of this is the Anfushi Tombs, some of the oldest in Alexandria and well worth a visit.
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| Central Alexandria |
 Heading towards the mainland past the Abu El-Abbas Mosque and connecting with Faransa street leads to the Suq (market )district. Just before entering the district one finds the interesting little Terbana Mosque. In the Suq district, one finds Alexandria's only surviving wakalas, which is a part of the El-Shorbagi Mosque complex founded in 1757. This was also the area where Alexandria's Jewish community lived, but most have now migrated to Israel. Different areas have specialized in different goods and one may find all manner of products from jewelry to Medicinal plants (Suq El-Magharba / Moroccan market) to Bedouin clothing (Suq El-Libya / Libyan market).
Going down Faransa St. , one passes Midan Tahrir and the street turns into Salah Salem, and finally connects with Al-Horreya.
Midan Tahrir, known as Manshiya, has considerable history. The areas were once home to Diplomats and known as Place Des Consuls, but after the statue of Mohammed Ali was placed here in 1873 the name was changed to Midan Mohammed Ali (Mohamed Ali square). In 1882, it was bombarded by the British and all but destroyed. The Alexandria Stock Exchange was once located there, and it was the square that Nasser announced the nationalization of the Suez Canal . |
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 The street named Al-Horreya (Tariq Abd el-Nasser) which transverses the area from east to west was in ancient times the Canopic Way with the Gate of the Sun at the eastern end and the Gate of the Moon at the western end. At that time, there were probably columns lining the road. The main north to South Street , now el-Nebi Daniel St. , ran from the East Harbor all the way to Lake Harbor on Lake Mariout .
Just south of the intersection of Al Horreya and el-Nebi Daniel was the site traditionally thought to be the burial place of Alexander the Great, but that has not been located, and may in fact be beneath the Mosque of Nebi Daniel or in a nearby Greek necropolis.
The famous Alexandria Library was probably nearby. However, the only real antiquities site that can be viewed in the area is Kom el-Dik, a small Roman theater that has been excavated. Nearby is also a bath house of the era. To the east is the Antiques District where dealers sell antiquities, books, old weapons and furniture. Here is also the Attarine Mosque, which was once a church dedicated to Athanasius. |
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 Further south along the tramway is Popey's pillar and nearby the Catacombs of Kom ash-Shuqqafa.
Wondering along el-Nebi Daniel are several other attractions, including the French Cultural Center , and nearby the Eliahu Hanabi Synagogue, which is the only active synagogue in Alexandria and houses the combined treasures of the seven former Alexandrian synagogues. |
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 Back to the north on el-Nebi Daniel, next to the harbor where El-Raml station is now located at Saad Zaghlul Square was the location of the Caesareum. This was a magnificent temple begun by Cleopatra for her lover Anthony and subsequently completed by their enemy Octavious, though none of this remained in site. Nearby is the well known Cecil Hotel, built in 1930, Smerset Maugham stayed there, as did Winston Churchill, and the British Secret Service one maintained a suite for their operations.
 Midan Saad Zaghlul is the entertainment heart and nerve center of Alexandria . Here, as terminals and train stations provide a backdrop for cinemas, restaurants and night spots. It was the setting of Lawrence Durrell's Alexandria Quartet and the famous Alexandria coffee houses. The square is dominated by an impressive monument dedicated to Saad Zaghlul, a former national leader. |
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 The Greek Quarter and Bab Rosetta District:
Back to Al Horreya heading east, as we pass the Graeco-Roman Museum (a notable museum well worth a visit) we move into the Greek Quarter of Alexandria, one of the most beautiful residential districts. The wonderful old villas include the massive Miclavez building, which is opposite the Town Hall and nearby the Adda Complex built in 1929. This is where the wealthy Greeks lived at the turn of the century, and the streets are still named after the Ptolemic, Pharaonic, Abbasid and Fatimid rulers. Further east is the Greek Orthodox patriarchate and the Church of St. Saba .
Further east, Al Horreya opens into a beautiful green area known as the Gardens Falls , which was once the fortification of Bab Rosetta. But in 1905, Alexandria created a garden area here with waterfalls and the only Alexandria cistern which can be viewed. This cistern is an example of those which once dotted Alexandria providing fresh water to her inhabitants.
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| The Alexandrian Corniche: |
 The Corniche is doted with Casinos built on stilts and rows of beach huts. The avenue here did not always exist, for until the 20th century, the areas remained fortified by a five mile long wall with towers which had protected the city since the 13th Century. In the early 1900s, a strip of land with a width of about 100 yards was reclaimed from the sea, and the area became popular with beach goers. That is no longer the case, but it remains a lively area of Alexandria .
On the western end of the Corniche near Sisila where the New Alexandria Library is being constructed, by the Shatby Tombs which are said to be the oldest in Alexandria. Nearer the San Stefano area across the tram tracks is also the Royal Jewelry Museum . |
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The Mahmudiya Canal, a walk along the Mahmudiya Canal brings one face to face with the working class and industrial districts of Alexandria, and is pleasant along the old paved road bordered by the canal and sycamore streets. South of the Greek district along the canal is the Antoniadis Gardens, which seep with history. Here, the poet Callimachus lived and taught, and in 640 AD, Pompilius prevented the King of Syria from capturing Alexandria. But less then a year later, Amr Ibn el-As camped here, before taking the city. The well known Water Traffic Circle is also in the area. Here one finds the Zoological Gardens, the small Museum of Natural History and the Fine Arts Museum in the Moharrem Bey area, and a Rose Garden. The beautiful public gardens extend into the surrounding area where the Antoniadis Palace is located, and there is even a nearby Roman tomb. |
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El-Muntazah:
 The magnificent Muntazah Palace, which was the king's summer residence. It comprises several buildings the most important are the Haramlek and the Salamlek, built by Khedive Abbas II. These 2 buildings are transformed now to hotels for accommodation. Staying in any of them really gives you the royalty feeling.
This area along the coast about 15 miles east of Alexandria's old district along the Corniche is where many of the modern Alexandrian hotels are located, as well as one of the elegant heritage hotels. Situated overlooking the marvelous beach and extends over 370 feddans of gardens and woods. Alexandria also witnessed the abdication of King Farouk and his exile to Italy on 1952. Also, in year 1956 President Nasser announced the nationalization of Suez Canal. |
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Other Places to visit at Alexandria:
The Greco-Roman Museum
Houses many collections of rare Greek and Roman relics and coins - about 40 thousand pieces, from the Third Century B.C. to the Seventh Century AD, including the "Tanagra" collection. The museum also houses the pieces recovered in 1995 at the Lighthouse site.
Pompey's Pillar
Mistakenly named so in the Middle Ages, this granite pillar is over 25 meters high. Built amidst the ruins of the Serapium in AD 297 AD in honor of Emperor Diocletian, it is the most prominent remaining Greek landmark in Alexandria.
The Roman Amphitheatre
Located downtown at Kom al-Dikkah the Roman amphitheatre is considered unique in Egypt. Discovered only in the early 1960's while laying the foundation of a new building, the amphitheatre has twelve semi-circular marble tiers in remarkably good condition.
The Catacombs of Kom al-Shoqafa
This is the largest Roman cemetery in Alexandria. It is composed of three levels cut 30 meters deep into the existing rock. Dating to the beginning of the Second Century AD, it is a blend of Pharaonic and Roman art.
Al-Shatby Necropolis
Constructed along the lines of the old Greek houses, the necropolis includes a doorway, corridor, and two chambers. It dates back to the Third Century BC, and lies north of Collège St. Marc.
The Tombs of Al-Anfushi
These five Ptolemic tombs, from the early Third Century BC, were only discovered in AD 1901. They were cut into the existing rock and belong to Greek-Egyptians.
The Tombs of Mustafa Kamel (Rushdy) These four subterranean rock-hewn tombs, date back to the Second Century BC. Influenced by Ancient Egyptian style, they are distinguished by their bright colors and relief inscriptions that describe the daily activities and religious beliefs of the deceased.
The Fort of Qaitbay
Erected on the northern tip of the Eastern Port on the site of the ancient Pharos of Alexandria, the fort design is influenced by both medieval architecture as well as by the lighthouse original layout. The fort also houses the Naval Museum.
The Mosque of Mursi Abul Abbas
Situated in Al-Anfushi, this Andalusian-style mosque is the largest in the city. It has four domes and a minaret, and was re-built in the twentieth century at the site of the old Abul Abbas shrine.
The Beaches
There are many sandy beaches stretching from east to west: Maamura - Montaza - Assafra - Miamy - Sidi Bishr - San Stefano - Glym - Stanley - Rushdy - Sidi Gaber - Sporting - Ibrahimia - and Shatby; all of which lie along the seafront boulevard, the "Corniche". On the western perimeter lie Al-Bitash and Hanoville beaches.
Abu-Qir Suburb
One of the calmest beaches, famous for fishing and seafood restaurants. This area, historically known as "Canopus" contains several Greek and Roman monuments. It is the site of the Abu-Qir battle between Napoleon and the British Commander, Nelson.
Al-Alamein
Site of the famous WWII Alamein battle, this beach also houses a WWII military museum. |
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Museums
The Royal Jewellery Museum
Originally the Palace of Princess Fatma al-Zahraa in Zizinia, it is an architectural masterpiece. Its many rooms and halls contain rare paintings, statues and decorations, as well as a priceless collection of jewels of the Mohamed Ali dynasty.
The Museum of Fine Arts Houses collections of sculptures, paintings, and architectural works. Exhibitions by contemporary artists are often held there. Furthermore, the museum organizes the Alexandria Biennial, where art from Mediterranean countries is displayed.
The Hydrobiological Institute and Museum
Located at Al-Anfushi, near Qaitbay Fortress, the museum houses a rare collection of fish and marine life.
Other Attractions
The Antoniadis Gardens and the Zoo
The Gardens contain beautifully arranged trees and flowers, a botanical garden, as well as several Greek statues in marble. The Antoniadis Palace is located in the middle of the gardens. The zoo is the second largest in Egypt.
The Shallalat Gardens
A central park east of downtown, it is of special character, distinguished by its high and low levels and waterways. The gardens also house parts of the ancient (Arab) city walls.
The Alexandria university
Conference Center The Alexandria Cultural Center, in Al-Silsilah, over 42,000 sq. meters in area, comprises a conference center, the Biblioteca Alexandrina (under construction), an open courtyard, and a garage. |
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 Recent Underwater Discoveries
Relatively new discoveries in the Eastern Harbor involve two different sites. Around Fort Qaitbey the site has unearthed hundreds of objects, including what experts believe are the remains of the Pharos Lighthouse, one of the ancient wonders of the world. In the south east part of the harbor archaeologists have apparently found the Royal Quarters, including granite columns and fabulous statues, including one of Isis and a sphinx with a head thought to be that of Cleopatra's father. |
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