If I had to pick only one place to visit in Egypt, it would be....

Egypt is one of the world's most visited countries - renown for its pyramids and mummies, the land is the perfect site for history buffs. Cairo and Luxor are two of Egypt's most famous cities, each filled with historical landmarks that are open for visitation daily. There is however, another city less well-known but equally prosperous with historical sites and a seaside view, that the other two cities lack.

Pearl of the Mediterranean

Renown as the 'Pearl of the Mediterranean', Alexandria was founded in 331 BC by Greek's famous emperor; Alexander the Great. During the ancient days, Alexandria was the capital of the Egyptian civilisation and dubbed as the most impressive city of the Hellenistic world, with the ancient world's largest library; The Great Library by Ptolemy I and a lighthoue that embodied the pinnacle of Alexandria's architecture; Pharos.



Today, Alexandria has gone through a massive transformation as the government sought to restore it to its former glory as a centre of learning and a central city where different groups of people especially history buffs can come to visit. Although it is located about 225 km from Cairo only, Alexandria has a different type of history and scenery to offer - a Graeco-Roman past and seaview, as it is located by the Mediterranean Sea. Furthermore, its coastline stretches from the north-west of the Nile delta to the east of Mariout Lake. During winter, its climate is about 18'C as oppose to winter season in Cairo which is about 30'C. Today, the city uses the Arabic language and Egyptian pound while the predominant religion is Islam and it has approximately 3.8 million people residing within its geographical boundary.

 

Unfortunately, the ancient Great Library of Alexandria, built by Ptolemy I was burned down in the 3rd century. Nevertheless, in its place is the Bibliotheca Alexandrina; a modern version of the ancient library designed by the Norwegian architecture firm; Snohetta.The new library was built to recapture the spirit of the original library, as Egypt's window to the world and the window for the world into Egypt, and also to be a centre of learning and dialogues that seek to meet the challenges presented by the digital age. An outstanding feature of the library is the outer grey Aswan granite wall that is carved with symbols from all 120 known languages, and its 11 levels of books is a reader's dream come true.

 

About 15 minutes away from the Library is Fort QaitBay; an essential three-level medieval fortress that remains one of the most astounding defensive strongholds in Egypt and the Mediterranean coast. It was actually built in 1477 by Sultan Al-Ashraf Abu Alnasr Saif Eldin Qaitbay, and today it houses a small mosque and naval museum. However, what is more interesting is that the Fort is situated on the crescent-shaped Eastern Harbour overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and was once the site of the legendary Pharos lighthouse. If one is observant enough, one could notice that part of the Fort has incorporated the remnants of Pharos.


Owing to a series of earthquakes and tsunamis, the Graeco-Roman city is now submerged below the water levels and right by the Fort itself, history buffs can dive underwater for an archaeological experience that only Alexandria can offer. Frank Goddio and his team have successfully found a large number of blocks and artefacts such as the obelisk of Seti I, items from Cleopatra's palace and a huge building block that was once a part of the Pharos.

Known as the Roman Theatre in Kom El Dikka, this semi-circle 13 white marble terraces Roman Amphitheatre is the last standing of its kind in the whole of Egypt. Though surrounded by modern high-rises, the 2nd AD landmark is a standout owing to its well-preserved architecture which still has Greek numbers carved on the seats, and is able to seat about 800 people. Today, a new stage has been constructed nearby in hopes of using the Amphitheatre as a backdrop for modern day theatre productions.

 

"To the most just Emperor, tutelary of Alexandria Diocletian, the invincible, (postumis), the Prefect of Egypt" is carved on the upper part of Pompey's Pillar in Greek. Although it bears another ruler's name, the pillar was built for Diocletain who succeeded as Pharoah of Alexandria, in 291 AD. The 25 m red Aswan granite column capped with a Corinthian capital is the tallest ancient monument in Alexandria and was once a part of an ancient Serapis temple, that was destroyed during the Christian era. Beneath the column are underground chambers and the remains of Serapis' followers.


Indeed, Alexandria is a city filled with assimilated culture and history with a spectacular seaview. Therefore, when I have the opportunity to visit Egypt, Alexandria has to be my first destination.


-chelle-