The Pharaonic period and the Islamic period are solely two facets of Egyptian civilization. The time in between was an excellent Greco-Roman period that lasted for a couple of thousand years. Journey 180 kilometers north of Cairo to Alexandria as a way 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 vital port and industrial hub is the nation’s second-largest metropolis. Its distinct European vibe and extra Mediterranean-like temperature set it other than 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 town the identify Alexandria, and it developed quick to grow to be one of the vital important cities on this planet and Egypt’s capital for a couple of thousand years. It was additionally residence to 2 of the Seven Wonders, the biggest library in antiquity, and It was a middle of educational excellence the place individuals like Euclid, Archimedes, and Aristarchus expanded the boundaries of information in quite a lot of fields like arithmetic, astronomy, physics, and geography. It was the situation 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 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 could be elevated to eight million. Along with the library’s amenities, it additionally features a planetarium, a lot of museums, a faculty of data 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 town to the close by College of Alexandria.
The brand new Alexandria Library is a cutting-edge construction that can considerably profit students, teachers, and most of the 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 basic and putting fashion. Its monumental round form, along with the round Alexandrian harbor, evokes the cyclical, ever-evolving nature of information. Its gleaming, slanting roof is paying homage to the lighthouse in historical Alexandria and provides town a brand new emblem for training and tradition.
2. The Roman Amphitheatre of Alexandria in Kom El Dekka
One of the well-known landmarks in Alexandria is the Roman Amphitheatre. In Egypt. The Roman Amphitheatre of Alexandria is the only real development of its form in Egypt, even supposing amphitheaters have been constructed all throughout the Roman Empire, together with in Greece, Italy, and Turkey, with quite a few situations of those buildings nonetheless standing right this moment.
The Roman Amphitheatre that’s nonetheless standing right this moment in Alexandria was constructed within the fourth century AD and was a typical constructing fashion all through the Greco-Roman period. Throughout the Roman period in Egypt, amphitheaters have 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 individuals.
As much as the seventh century, the Roman Amphitheatre was nonetheless in operation and utilized to stage varied creative occasions like musical performances and different forms of actions. This truth was established by the architectural options of the theatre, which display 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 capabilities. Throughout the Roman period, it served as an odeum the place musical performances have been offered. The theatre on the time contained all the mandatory elements 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 vital 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 unintentionally found at first of the twentieth century.
The Catacombs of Kom El Shuqafa, probably the most important Greco-Roman necropolis in Egypt, are embellished with works from Alexandria’s frequent Roman, Hellenistic, Pharaonic, and historical 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 complete, and they’re all under floor. The bottom stage, nevertheless, is at the moment inaccessible on account of floods that passed off 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 an incredible 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 offers guests with breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea.
This charming fort was constructed within the fourteenth century by Sultan Qaitbey to guard Alexandria from Ottoman Empire growth. Because the Ottomans took over Egypt in 1512, their makes an attempt have been futile, however the stronghold has survived, strategically positioned on a slim arm of land that juts out into Alexandria’s harbor from the corniche.
The fortress was not at all times in its present configuration. Across the flip of the twentieth century, it was reconstructed after struggling important harm 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 inside the advanced: Aida, Cleopatra, Vanessa, Semiramis, and the Helnan Palestine Resort’s non-public seaside.
Montaza affords all kinds of pleasing actions. Taking a ship trip to view the gardens from the water is a incredible alternative. Waterskiing, diving, snorkeling, and even simply lounging by the seaside are all incredible marine pursuits.
An incredible number of bushes and vegetation, a few of them moderately unusual, could also be discovered within the backyard of Al Montazah, which is 3000 meters large. Regardless of having been planted greater than 75 years in the past, a number of tropical vegetation are nonetheless in good situation. The Montazah plant assortment consists of Catania, monumental boots, Zamia, Carlota, and distinctive styles of palms. That is along with the large-sized vegetation like Ropilia, Anthurium, Hokiry, Araliaceae, and Victoria.
Plan your journey to Alexandria, and don’t overlook 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 lots of extra. Try our Alexandria pleasing program, so that you received’t miss out on any spectacular locations.
Sherif Khalil is Proprietor of Dunes & Past. Dunes & Past affords luxurious excursions, Nile cruises and desert safaris in Egypt.
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