The Pharaonic period and the Islamic period are solely two features of Egyptian civilization. The time in between was a superb Greco-Roman period that lasted for a few thousand years. Journey 180 kilometers north of Cairo to Alexandria so as to catch a glimpse of that point interval. At the moment in Egyptian historical past, this metropolis served because the epicenter.
Alexandria, Egypt‘s most important port and industrial hub is the nation’s second-largest metropolis. Its distinct European vibe and extra Mediterranean-like temperature set it aside from the remainder of Egypt.
When Alexander the Nice invaded Egypt in 332 BC, the Pharaonic period got here to an finish. He additionally commanded {that a} new metropolis be constructed right here on the Mediterranean coast to function the capital of his new imperial possession. He gave the town the identify Alexandria, and it developed quick to turn into some of the important cities on the earth and Egypt’s capital for a few thousand years. It was additionally house to 2 of the Seven Wonders, the most important library in antiquity, and It was a middle of educational excellence the place folks like Euclid, Archimedes, and Aristarchus expanded the boundaries of data in quite a lot of fields like arithmetic, astronomy, physics, and geography. It was the placement of Cleopatra, the Ptolemaic monarch whom Julius Caesar and Mark Anthony courted.
1. Library of Alexandria: Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Within the coronary heart of Alexandria’s historic district, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina is located in a splendid place subsequent to the town’s historic harbor. The 11-story library can maintain as much as 4 million volumes of books, and with the usage of compact storage, that quantity is perhaps elevated to eight million. Along with the library’s amenities, it additionally features a planetarium, a variety of museums, a faculty of knowledge science, and conservation amenities, amongst different cultural and academic options. The constructing spans 160 meters in circumference, rises as much as 32 meters in top, and descends 12 meters to the bottom. It’s distinguished by its round, tilting design. The constructing is surrounded by an open plaza and a reflecting pool, and a footbridge connects the town to the close by College of Alexandria.
The brand new Alexandria Library is a cutting-edge construction that can considerably profit students, lecturers, and most people. It was conceived as a rebirth of the traditional library within the metropolis based by Alexander the Nice about 2300 years in the past however misplaced to civilization centuries later. The brand new library has a traditional and placing type. Its monumental round form, together with the round Alexandrian harbor, evokes the cyclical, ever-evolving nature of data. Its gleaming, slanting roof is paying homage to the lighthouse in historic Alexandria and offers the town a brand new emblem for schooling and tradition.
2. The Roman Amphitheatre of Alexandria in Kom El Dekka
Some of the well-known landmarks in Alexandria is the Roman Amphitheatre. In Egypt. The Roman Amphitheatre of Alexandria is the only development of its variety in Egypt, although amphitheaters had been constructed all throughout the Roman Empire, together with in Greece, Italy, and Turkey, with quite a few cases of those buildings nonetheless standing as we speak.
The Roman Amphitheatre that’s nonetheless standing as we speak in Alexandria was constructed within the fourth century AD and was a typical constructing type all through the Greco-Roman period. In the course of the Roman period in Egypt, amphitheaters had been distinctive roofed theatres constructed to carry poetry contests and musical celebrations.
The amphitheater has a marble viewers space that’s symmetrical with an expanded wing and has seating for as much as 600 folks.
As much as the seventh century, the Roman Amphitheatre was nonetheless in operation and utilized to stage numerous creative occasions like musical performances and different sorts of actions. This reality was established by the architectural options of the theatre, which exhibit that it was in use throughout the Roman, Byzantine, and Early Islamic intervals. All through its lengthy historical past and because it moved via a number of eras, the amphitheater served quite a lot of features. In the course of the Roman period, it served as an odeum the place musical performances had been offered. The theatre on the time contained all the required parts for a flawless efficiency, together with the part of the orchestra and the previous stage dome.
3. Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa
The Catacombs of Kom El Shuqafa are Egypt’s largest and most important burial web site, and they’re situated instantly to the west of Pompey’s Pillar. They originate from the Greco-Roman period. The hill of treasures, often known as Kom El Shuqafa in Arabic, was by accident found in the beginning of the twentieth century.
The Catacombs of Kom El Shuqafa, essentially the most important Greco-Roman necropolis in Egypt, are adorned with works from Alexandria’s frequent Roman, Hellenistic, Pharaonic, and historic Egyptian intervals. This necropolis, which dates to the second century AD, was carved out of the rock to a depth of 35meterss (115 ft). There are three ranges whole, and they’re all under floor. The bottom degree, nonetheless, is at the moment inaccessible because of floods that came about right here.
4. The Citadel of Qaitbay
The Citadel of Qaitbay is positioned in Alexandria. Moreover, it’s a exceptional illustration of historic legacy and architectural magnificence along with being a monument. It’s a tremendous stronghold that has grown to be a big image of Alexandria.
The Citadel of Qaitbay is a cease on virtually each tour in Alexandria and gives guests with breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea.
This charming citadel was constructed within the fourteenth century by Sultan Qaitbey to guard Alexandria from Ottoman Empire growth. For the reason that Ottomans took over Egypt in 1512, their makes an attempt have been futile, however the stronghold has survived, strategically positioned on a slender arm of land that juts out into Alexandria’s harbor from the corniche.
The fortress was not all the time in its present configuration. Across the flip of the twentieth century, it was reconstructed after struggling important injury throughout the British bombardment of Alexandria throughout a nationalist rebel in opposition to British hegemony in 1882.
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5. The Montazah Palace Gardens
On Egypt’s northern coast, on the jap edges of Alexandria, are the Montaza Palace Gardens. The advanced, which spans over 360 acres, is a stunning location that appears out onto Al Montaza Gulf. Moreover, there are 5 swimming seashores throughout the advanced: Aida, Cleopatra, Vanessa, Semiramis, and the Helnan Palestine Resort’s non-public seaside.
Montaza provides all kinds of pleasant actions. Taking a ship journey to view the gardens from the water is a improbable selection. Waterskiing, diving, snorkeling, and even simply lounging by the seaside are all improbable marine pursuits.
A fantastic number of timber and crops, a few of them fairly unusual, could also be discovered within the backyard of Al Montazah, which is 3000 meters vast. Regardless of having been planted greater than 75 years in the past, a number of tropical crops are nonetheless in good situation. The Montazah plant assortment contains Catania, monumental boots, Zamia, Carlota, and distinctive kinds of palms. That is along with the large-sized crops like Ropilia, Anthurium, Hokiry, Araliaceae, and Victoria.
Plan your journey to Alexandria, and don’t neglect to go to all of the talked about locations above, along with others such because the Nationwide Museum, Abu Al-Abbas Al-Mursi Mosque, Pompey’s Pillar, and plenty of extra. Try our Alexandria pleasant program, so that you gained’t miss out on any spectacular locations.
Sherif Khalil is Proprietor of Dunes & Past. Dunes & Past provides luxurious excursions, Nile cruises and desert safaris in Egypt.
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