The Bibliotheca Alexandria is a large and beautiful piece of modern architecture that was built in the 21st century. You could look for it on Alexandria's Corniche. But there are parts of the building that look like they belong to much older buildings. It was made in 2002 as part of a larger plan to show that Alexandria was once…
The Arabic name, "the hill of broken pots," comes from the broken dishes and plates that were common in the area before the tombs underneath it were found. The name comes from the fact that the tombs underneath it could be seen. At the time, the name had not yet been given its Arabic form. This vast cemetery is one…
During World War II, there were two important fights in the desert west of Alexandria. Both of these battles were important to the end of the war. There were fights in the desert. Most people agree that the battles between the German armoured division led by Field Marshall Erwin Rommel and the British army were key to deciding who won…
Alexandria has a long and interesting history, but few of its achievements have held up over time. In order for the city to fit in the small space between the Mediterranean and the Nile wetlands behind it, it has been built on top of itself many times. When you think about how many invasions, sieges, and bombings the city has…
The Pharos of Alexandria, or Lighthouse of Alexandria, was constructed in the 4th century BCE and was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Until the Eiffel Tower was built in 1889, it was the tallest structure in the world.
Alexandria is a popular place for wealthy people to go on vacation in the summer. This is because the weather in the city is mild, which is a nice change from Cairo. The Egyptian royal family is part of this group. The summer palace of Montazah was built on the shore of Alexandria by order of Khedive Abbas II, who…
It's not as cool as it first seems. In a civil war, Gaius Pompey, who was a Roman Consul and General, fought against Julius Caesar. In 48 BC, when he was on the run from Rome, a Ptolemaic pharaoh killed him in Alexandria. This single column on a rocky outcrop in the middle of Alexandria has nothing to do with…
In the 14th century, Sultan Qaitbey built this huge fortress to protect Alexandria from the expanding Ottoman Empire. Since the Ottomans took over Egypt in 1512, he hasn't been able to do anything about it. However, the castle has stayed standing because of its strategic location on a narrow arm of land that goes down into Alexandria's harbour from the…
