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  • Mohamed Ali Manial Palace

    Muhamed Ali Palace in Shubra

    Muhammad Ali Pasha wanted to establish and document his era with a ruling house that would be a turning point between a bygone era and a new era that he planned to be long. So he chose a site on the banks of the Nile in the Shubra area, with an area of 70 acres, extending from the banks of the Nile to Birkat al-Hajj, after he had seized several villages and fiefdoms to build his palace.

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    Abdeen Palace Museum - Cairo

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  • Tomb of Al-Shatby

    The Cemetery of Shatby

    Al-Shatby Cemetery is the oldest existing cemetery in Alexandria dating back to the hellenistic age, and it also remains the oldest archaeological site within the city up to date. Alexandria is now regarded as a modern city because earthquakes in the past buried the ancient city's features and caused another city to be built on top of it until it reached its current size.

  • Emperor Diocletianus _ Roman

    Roman Emperor Diocletian | Biography

    Emperor Diocletian, or Diocletianus, is one of the most famous Roman emperors in the history of the Roman Empire, and he ruled the Roman Empire from November 20, 284 AD until May 1, 305 AD. This emperor was known by many names, including “Diocles” - the name “Diocletianus” was chosen after he ascended the throne and took for himself a crown (a wide band studded with pearls), robes of silk and gold, and shoes studded with precious stones.

  • palatine Gate _ Italy

    Biography of Roman Emperor Trajan

    The greatest of the Roman emperors was Emperor Trajan, the second of the Five Good Emperors, who ruled from 96 to 117 AD. One of the Roman Emperors, Marcus Pius Nerva Traianus (53–117 AD), ruled over the enormous Roman Empire between 98 and 117 AD. At the height of the Roman Empire, he is credited for its expansion.

  • Hieroglyphics Language

    Ancient Egyptian Calendar

    The solar calendar, which the ancient Egyptians invented to divide the year into 13 months based on the sun, was the first Egyptian and global calendar in human culture. One of the first methods of measuring time that humans are said to have created is the Egyptian calendar. According to the Gregorian calendar, the Egyptian Coptic New Year is observed today on September 11. On the eve of Nowruz, prayers are conducted in Orthodox churches all around the world.

Things to Do in Alexandria

Facts about Alexandria Governorate Egypt

  • 05 16, 2023

Alexandria ancient

The narration of the history of Alexandria starts in the year 331 before Christ when the city was established by Alexander The Great. The cities of Alexandria, and Abu Qir are based along the coast, and have been regarded by their visitors, historians, and even of the Greeks and Romans and Arabs as woven with history. Those two cities were museum cities, preserving the remnants of the ancient people who had created them. Such sculptures had a place on earth but were not present above ground in any coordinated or fused outlay, over a period of time. Ancient Abu Qir succumbed and lie below the waters of the Abu Qir Bay.

Alexandria sinking

In the latter part of the eighth century, Alexandria, with its splendid royal palaces and temples, sank beneath the waters of the eastern harbor between the mouth of the chain and Qaitbay Fortress. Oddly enough, it slanted in one way, as though the two towns were perched on a precipice that abruptly fell. After a millennium, the two cities vanished. The floods that flooded the two cities, including the well-known Alexandria Lighthouse, are credited with causing this.

During the Islamic period, this disaster took place. Hence, while diving, coins, Islamic relics, pillars and parts of temples belonging to the Pharaonic, Greek, Roman and Islamic periods were discovered. In Abu Qir, the remnants of Napoleon's fleet which was sunk in the Gulf by the English forces in the year 1798 were discovered. 

Finally, we will mention that from the perspective of the Unknown Soldier statue, located in Manshiya, if we look towards the eastern harbor, we will understand that underneath the waters lie the ruins of the renowned city of Alexandria. There was once a civilization that flourished and was lost, and such a civilization brought so many amulets to this conurbation, which in turn gave rise to the present museum city. And all they have is a history that is lost and buried deep under the ocean.

Alexandria was founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC (the exact year is disputed) as Ἀλεξάνδρεια (Alexandria). Dinocrates was Alexander's principal architect for the project. Ancient accounts are numerous and highly varied, and much influenced by later developments. One of the more sober descriptions, given by the historian Arrianus, recounts how Alexander drew up the general layout of the city, but lacking chalk or other means, he resorted to sketching it with grain. Many of the more fanciful founding legends of Alexander's love affair have been picked up by medieval historians.

A few months after the founding of the city, Alexander left Egypt for the east and never returned. Cleomenes, one of the generals of Alexander, continued to take steps in the attenting of the city even after he left the city.

The commander known as Ptolemy (later Ptolemy I of Egypt) completed the task of relocating Alexander to Alexandria during a competition with the other successors of Alexander the Great. Julius Caesar was among the numerous ancient visitors to Alexander the Great's tomb. The Ptolemies introduced the fiction of Alexandria together with the imagery of the tomb and the lighthouse to support their claim to rightful control in Egypt.

Alexandria was supposed to serve as the bridge connecting Greece and the fertile Nile valley, and to take the place of Naucratis as the Hellenic center in Egypt. There is only one place where this city may be on the Egyptian coast: directly west of the Canopic branch, the westernmost branch of the Nile estuary, which is located beyond the window of the island of Pharos once the silt of the Nile has been cleared. Through a canal from the Nile, the city may simultaneously benefit from a fresh water supply. Special defense against invading soldiers was offered by the vast Libyan Desert to the west and the Nile Delta to the east.

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Egypt Tours FAQ

Read top Egypt tours FAQs

The city of Alexandria is located in the northern part of Egypt, along the Mediterranean Sea coast. It is situated in the Nile Delta region, approximately 225 kilometers (140 miles) north of the capital city, Cairo.

Alexandria is known for its rich historical and cultural significance. Some of its notable characteristics and contributions include:

Historical Importance: Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Alexandria became a major center of Hellenistic civilization and culture. It was the capital of the Ptolemaic Kingdom and a renowned city of learning and scholarship in the ancient world.

The Great Library of Alexandria: Perhaps its most famous historical landmark, the Library of Alexandria, was one of the most significant libraries of the ancient world. It housed countless scrolls, manuscripts, and works of literature, attracting scholars and thinkers from across the Mediterranean.

Lighthouse of Alexandria: The city was also home to the Pharos of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. This massive lighthouse guided ships into the harbor and served as a symbol of the city's grandeur.

Cultural Diversity: Over the centuries, Alexandria has been a melting pot of cultures, including Greek, Roman, Egyptian, and later, Arabic influences. This cultural diversity has left its mark on the city's architecture, cuisine, and traditions.

Modern Port City: Today, Alexandria remains an important port city in Egypt and the Mediterranean region. It plays a crucial role in trade and commerce and is a popular destination for tourists.

Bibliotheca Alexandrina: In 2002, Egypt opened the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a modern library and cultural center, as a tribute to the ancient Library of Alexandria. It serves as a hub for research, education, and cultural exchange.

Alexandrian Cuisine: The city is known for its distinctive cuisine, which combines elements of Egyptian and Mediterranean culinary traditions. Seafood is a prominent feature in many dishes due to its coastal location.

Cultural Attractions: Alexandria boasts several cultural attractions, including museums, historic sites, and landmarks such as the Qaitbay Citadel, Montaza Palace, and the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa.

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