Known as “The Pearl of the Mediterranean”, Alexandria as the second largest city in Egypt has an atmosphere that is more Mediterranean than Middle Eastern, its ambiance and cultural heritage distance it from the rest of the country although it is only 225 km. from Cairo.
Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 B.C., Alexandria became the capital of the Greco-Roman Egypt, its status as a beacon of culture is symbolized by the Pharos, the legendry lighthouse that was one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient World.
The setting for the stormy relationship between Cleopatra and Mark Antony, Alexandria was also the center of culture and learning in the ancient world. But ancient Alexandria declined and when Napoleon landed he found a sparsely populated fishing village.
Blessed with a mild, pleasant climate and a string of exquisite beaches, Alexandria is a place to catch a fresh summer breeze.
Montazah, located 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 Palaces, El-Montaza Palace. Khedive Abbas II built El Salamlek as a residence which is considered today one of the most luxurious hotels in Alexandria.
The Corniche is doted with Casinos built on stilts and rows of beach huts. The avenue here did not always exists, 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 Silsila where the New Alexandria Library is located, the Shatby Tombs are said to be the oldest in Alexandria. Near by the San Stefano area across the tram tracks is also the Royal Jewelry Museum.
Moving to Alexandria’s ancient Roman sights, you’ll be impressed by the variety of places to visit.
The Roman Theatre was probably a roofed theatre used for musical poignancies and passed on the inceptions carved on the seats. Nearby is also a bathhouse of the era. To the east is the Antiques District where dealers sell antiquities, books, old weapons and furniture. There is also the Attarine Mosque, which was once a church dedicated to Athanasius.
You can enjoy a wide variety of Pharonic, Ptolemaic, Roman and Christian antiquities at the Greco Roman museum which contains a rare Greek and Roman relies and coins about 40,000 pieces from the 3rd century BC to the 7th century AD. The National Museum houses an exquisite collection of submerged antiquities from the Mediterranean.
Pompey’s Pillar which is a column of red granite from Aswan that was erected in honor of the Emperor Diocletian, stands around 90 feet high.
The Catacombs of Kom El Shokafa is an extensive three level funerary complex with chambers cut out of the rock to a depth of about 35 m. dating back to the 2nd Century A.D. a blend of a very impressive Egyptian and Roman art.
The fortress of Qaitbay was built in the 1480’s by Sultan Qaitbay, on the site of Alexandria’s ancient lighthouse (parts of the remains of the lighthouse can be seen in the construction of the old fort). The lantern and the top two stories fell around 700 AD according to many reports and the rest of the lighthouse was destroyed by an earthquake around 1100. Located inside the fort is the Naval Museum, which contains artifacts from the Roman and Napoleonic battles.
Alexandria has, for long, been considered Egypt’s best nearby summer resort. Easily getting to the great city after a two-hour drive, Alexandria is the perfect place to get away and relax.
