The Corniche
The Corniche waterfront promenade runs 20 km length. One of the most beautiful views of the city skyline can be found on a ship sailing around the harbour, and tourists can hire a small boat. Walking along the Corniche is most popular with locals at sunset: couples strolling, people serving coffee, fishermen looking for dinner, friends meeting for drinks. It is lively but extremely safe.
A library was built in 246 BC, holding c400,000 scrolls at its peak. All the world’s scripted knowledge was held in this, the Great Library of Alexandria. It was the largest and most famous library in the world before it was destroyed in a great fire, after Julius Caesar was besieged! Caesar was captured in 48 BC with his soldiers setting fire to his ships. The fire spread to the city, sadly including the library.
The Old Library was a cultural learning centre for the arts and philosophy, paving the way forward for worldly education in scripture, thought, mind and human existence - a place of understanding of people globally. Visit the Old Library of Alexandria now, but all that is left of this great learning centre are the storerooms under the extremely dark ruins of the Serapeum. Recently Alexandria decided to honour its ancient library by building a new one, Bibliotheca. Opened in 2002, it’s the largest learning centre in the Middle East.
A library was built in 246 BC, holding c400,000 scrolls at its peak. All the world’s scripted knowledge was held in this, the Great Library of Alexandria. It was the largest and most famous library in the world before it was destroyed in a great fire, after Julius Caesar was besieged! Caesar was captured in 48 BC with his soldiers setting fire to his ships. The fire spread to the city, sadly including the library.
The Old Library was a cultural learning centre for the arts and philosophy, paving the way forward for worldly education in scripture, thought, mind and human existence - a place of understanding of people globally. Visit the Old Library of Alexandria now, but all that is left of this great learning centre are the storerooms under the extremely dark ruins of the Serapeum. Recently Alexandria decided to honour its ancient library by building a new one, Bibliotheca. Opened in 2002, it’s the largest learning centre in the Middle East.
Modern Bibliotheca
The Citadel of Qaitbay is a 1480 castle fortress on the edge of the Mediterranean sea, a very important defence stronghold built during the rule of Sultan Al-Ashraf Qa’it Bay. Qaitbay citadel has an interesting history that links it to the unique Lighthouse of Alexandria, completed 270 BC. The Lighthouse was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It helped guide Nile River ships around the city’s busy harbour, until the Arab Conquest, and then natural disasters (eg C11th earthquake) changed the lighthouse’s shape. They built a mosque on the top of the lighthouse, but it too was destroyed.
Qaitbay Citadel was built on the exact site of Pharos Island Lighthouse, to protect Alexandria from crusaders who attacked by sea and to defend against Turks in the Ottoman Empire. Climb up the 4 floors, each floor having a great ocean view with waves crashing on rocks and fisherman claiming their catch. Beyond the Citadel, on Pharos Island near the entrance, are very colourful murals using recycled seashells made into mosaics, an art representing the city.
Qaitbay Citadel was built on the exact site of Pharos Island Lighthouse, to protect Alexandria from crusaders who attacked by sea and to defend against Turks in the Ottoman Empire. Climb up the 4 floors, each floor having a great ocean view with waves crashing on rocks and fisherman claiming their catch. Beyond the Citadel, on Pharos Island near the entrance, are very colourful murals using recycled seashells made into mosaics, an art representing the city.
Royal Jewellery Museum
Daily News Egypt
The Royal Jewellery Museum is valuable, hosting the treasures of the last royal family of Egypt. Mohamed Ali Pasha Khedive Ismail hired skilful Egyptian & foreign artists to create the royal golden jewellery. After the Egyptian revolution (1952), the treasures were in government storage until a committee established the Royal Jewellery Museum in the stunning C19th palace of Princess Fatema El Zahraa. An elegant foyer connects the two suites of the palace, featuring European historical scenes and legends.
After the Jan 2011 Revolution, several tourist facilities were established to serve park-goers, including integrated restaurants, chalets and cafés. In 2013, some cabin tenants on Aida and Cleopatra Beaches failed to pay their rent so President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi ordered redevelopment of the area. He created a new tourist destination, and the historic cabins were demolished.
The Cecil Hotel (1929) is very fine, right in the middle of the Corniche. With a wide view of the Mediterranean, the hotel occupies Saad Zaghloul Square where Cleopatra’s Needle stood until being taken to London. The colonial facade of the post-WW1 era constantly welcomed famous guests eg Winston Churchill and Omar Sharif! Despite modernisation, the hotel has stayed true to its roots eg its historical birdcage elevator! The massive rooms have high ceilings, and balconies with stunning views of the ocean, Corniche and Citadel of Qaitbay.
mosaics
Some attractions like the Montazah Palace and Gardens, Pompey’s Pillar and the Catacombs are more distant from the centre of the city. The Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa started in C2nd AD. Apparently it was only in 1900 that a donkey-and-cart fell down a hole underground, leading to the catacombs’ discovery! The name referred to the heaps of broken pottery found in a mix of Egyptian, Roman and Greek carving styles. It’s still an active dig, so descend the spiral staircase to see statues, sarcophagus and murals carved out of the bedrock below.
Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa
Pompey’s Pillar was originally built by the Romans as a victory column, built in c300 AD to honour Emperor Diocletian’s win over a city revolt. It was one of the largest ancient monoliths ever raised: 27 ms high. Alongside the column, see 2 Roman copies of the sphinx statue
Pompey’s Pillar
Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue
built 1850, renovated recently
Montazah Palace (1892), a residence of the former royal family, was opened to the public after the 1952 Revolution. A historical text Montazah: The Royal Palaces and Gardens noted that c580 cabins were built on the property’s beaches i.e Aida, Nefertiti, Cleopatra and Semiramis, near the water sports. Montazah Gardens cover 150 acres, full of palm-trees, islands, royal palaces, tower and lighthouses! The best part is walking to Tea Palace Island, an island linked by bridge with its restaurants and boat club.
The former Salamlek Palace (1892) was converted into a 5-star hotel with luxurious rooms a la royal family, with plush antiques and chandeliers. The beautiful Haramlek Palace has also been used as an official guest house, joining the group of Egypt’s presidential palaces. Then other entertainment facilities were added eg a casino.
The former Salamlek Palace (1892) was converted into a 5-star hotel with luxurious rooms a la royal family, with plush antiques and chandeliers. The beautiful Haramlek Palace has also been used as an official guest house, joining the group of Egypt’s presidential palaces. Then other entertainment facilities were added eg a casino.
Montazah Gardens and tower
Montazah Gardens and King Farouk Palace
After the Jan 2011 Revolution, several tourist facilities were established to serve park-goers, including integrated restaurants, chalets and cafés. In 2013, some cabin tenants on Aida and Cleopatra Beaches failed to pay their rent so President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi ordered redevelopment of the area. He created a new tourist destination, and the historic cabins were demolished.
The Cecil Hotel (1929) is very fine, right in the middle of the Corniche. With a wide view of the Mediterranean, the hotel occupies Saad Zaghloul Square where Cleopatra’s Needle stood until being taken to London. The colonial facade of the post-WW1 era constantly welcomed famous guests eg Winston Churchill and Omar Sharif! Despite modernisation, the hotel has stayed true to its roots eg its historical birdcage elevator! The massive rooms have high ceilings, and balconies with stunning views of the ocean, Corniche and Citadel of Qaitbay.
Mosque of Abu Abbas al Mursi
My son married into a family from French-speaking Alexandria who believed it was the most beautiful city in the universe. As wonderful as Melbourne was, after they arrived in 1957 their memories never faded.
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27 comments:
I have heard of Alexandria and knew it was founded by Alexander the Great but that is about the limit of my knowledge so thanks for this post I liked it
This is such a detailed descriptions of the places I have yet the courage to visit. The ancient history of it all is just incredible.
I'm similar to Jo-Anne. That was fascinating, Hels; you've made me want to jump on the next bus to Alexandria! Is that you in the photos?
Eliahu Hanavi Synagogue is magnificent. I hope it is protected.
Interesting indeed, I enjoyed reading about about the area and the lovely buildings you have shown. What a beautiful drive that must be along by the sea.
The Catacombs are interesting. What else is left to discover, I wonder, that will add to our knowledge?
I wonder if the Rolls Royce Corniche took its name from Alexandria.
I was a great cereal packet reader as a child and one cereal packet educated me about the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World, one being the Alexandria lighthouse.
Otherwise, thanks for the education about Alexandria.
Jo-Anne
I thought my formal learning would end with school and university, but there is so much more to learn, isn't there? I don't mean in subjects I know nothing about (eg physics, astronomy, chemistry) but I subjects I like to think I know a lot about (eg history, literature, art). I am grateful to other bloggers for their information, and to the reading I have to do for my own blog :)
roentare
we need courage to travel in a lot of countries *nod*. I was very cautious about travelling in Greece during the military junta from 1967-74 or in Iran when Ayatollah Khomeini was the first supreme leader of Iran from 1979 on. However I was happy in Egypt, as long as our group was always chaperoned by a qualified guide.
Has Egypt become dangerous again?
Train Man
Yes sir! The Eliyahu Hanavi synagogue, with gorgeous stained glass windows and impressive marble columns, was re-built in its current form in 1850, on top of the original medieval building. But the huge Jewish population had decreased such that by 1917, there were only 25,000 Jews in Alexandria. This was one of 12 synagogues in the city when Eliyahu Hanavi was built, but today it is the only extant synagogue.
If I can find a perfect photo, I will add it to the post.
Margaret
It is often suggested that the most romantic roads in the world travel along the coast in France and other countries along the Mediterranean - very long, dramatic views, fresh weather, thriving ports and beautiful beaches. Lucky Alexandrian citizens!
jabblog
The central spiral staircase goes down through several levels of the Catacombs, and visitors can see the intensive decoration on the walls of the tombs - a mixture of Greek, Roman and Egyptian iconography. Alexander's legacy remained!
I imagine there is still much to be learned about the carved figures, gods, Roman and Greek costumes, and Greek and Roman mythological figures.
Andrew
Italian-Egyptian architect Pietro Avoscani designed Alexandria's Corniche in 1870 so it is a relatively modern creation. It seems the Rolls Royce name came from the Grande Corniche, the touring road high above the Mediterranean between Nice and Monte Carlo. Very appropriate, I think.
Cereal packets can be correct :) The 7 wonders of the ancient world are normally seen as: Great Pyramid of Giza, Colossus of Rhodes, Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, Temple of Artemis, Statue of Zeus at Olympia and Hanging Gardens of Babylon, as well as the Lighthouse of Alexandria.
Hello Hels, The Alexandria library certainly conjures powerful "what-if" thoughts. In the 18th century, Harvard's library (even though it was not the same kind of master repository) similarly burned down, but a few books were miraculously saved by being out on loan. I wonder if even the tiniest vestiges of Alexandria's holdings remain. (I just read the interesting Wikipedia article, which suggests that the Alexandria library suffered a gradual decline, with a number of major "incidents."
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The closest I ever came to Alexandria was in London when walking along the Embankment, I unexpectedly came across London's Cleopatra's Needle. Egypt is supposedly requesting repatriation of the obelisks--I certainly hope that never comes to pass, but I would support local conservation efforts.
--Jim
Parnassus
Countries can only claim their cultural items back if other countries stole or blackmailed the real owner. The Egyptians proudly presented Cleopatra's Needle to the British Government, to remember forever Lord Nelson's victory at the Battle of the Nile (1798) and Sir Ralph Abercromby's victory at the Battle of Alexandria (1801). Britain needing to protect and conserve the Needle is one thing; repatriation would totally be another.
Re the book treasures, noone will ever know. The majority of historians say some books survived the first destruction of the Old Library, but _nothing_ survived the Arab conquest of Egypt in 642 AD.
Helen, remember I told you that the New Library is the most amazing library I have ever seen? But everyone knows that. What you may not know about is Alexandria's Royal Jewellery Museum. It is also amazing.
I have not visited Alexandria but would love to see some of those magnificent buildings.
Jewellery Fan,
Thank you. Tonight I will add a photo of that stunning museum.
Fun60,
Of all the cities in the world to visit, we have to be alerted to gems like Alexandria via family and friends, travel magazine articles or history lectures.
Same with Salonika in Greece which I may not have found by myself.
It dioes sound like a beautiful city with an amazing ancient history. I have never been there so I enjoyed your tour.
diane
blogging is always great, but now readers are adding new sites that I didn't even include. This has been a great experience :)
Parece uma cidade incrível e cheia de histórias. Obrigado pela excelente matéria.
Luiz
that is quite true. If you have an opportunity to travel, leave enough time to see your favourite sites. I normally stay for only 4 days in a city but Alexandria deserves a longer examination.
Another place on my bucket list . I have met many Greeks who had to leave after the 1950s when the king was deposed . It seems that that was a period of great upheaval. So sad that so many cultures had to leave and for what ????
mem
that was so true!! and still is now probably. After the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, so many people had to flee to Australia and other countries. I would have eventually toured Budapest etc anyhow, but when my brother married into a Hungarian family, I put that beautiful city straight on my planned travel programme. My brother's inlaws were correct :)
Embarking on an enchanting journey through Egypt was a mesmerizing experience! From the awe-inspiring Pyramids of Giza to the timeless allure of the Nile River, every moment felt like a step back in history. The expert guidance and seamless logistics provided by Ask Aladdin made this tour truly unforgettable. A perfect blend of ancient wonders and modern convenience!
Aailyah
As much as I do careful reading before travelling to Alexandria (or other places I am visiting for the first time), your recommendation of expert guidance is essential. Many thanks.
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