Must-See Wonders: The Pillars of Alexandria’s History
Your journey with Egypt Fun Tours will take you through layers of incredible history, all within a few kilometers of each other.
1. The Citadel of Qaitbay: A Fortress on a Wonder
Standing guard over the harbor, the Citadel of Qaitbay is one of the most iconic sights in the Middle East. This impressive 15th-century Islamic fortress is a masterpiece of defensive architecture, with massive walls, watchtowers, and a beautiful inner mosque.
But its location is what makes it truly legendary. The Citadel was built on the exact foundation of the Pharos Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. As you walk the ramparts, you are standing on the ruins of a 2,000-year-old legend, with the same breathtaking view of the sea that guided sailors for centuries.
2. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina: Rebirth of a Legend
The Great Library of Alexandria was the most famous center of knowledge in the ancient world, a place where all human knowledge was collected before it was lost to history.
Today, that spirit is reborn in the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. This stunning, modern-day marvel is an architectural masterpiece, designed as a giant, tilted disc rising from the earth, symbolizing a second sun of knowledge. Its massive, granite wall is carved with characters from every known alphabet.
Inside is more than just a library—it’s a vast cultural complex:
- The Main Reading Room: A breathtaking, cavernous space that can hold 8 million books, cascading over 11 levels under a spectacular glass roof.
- The Antiquities Museum: A fantastic collection of Greco-Roman artifacts, many rescued from the sea floor.
- The Manuscript Museum: A state-of-the-art center displaying priceless ancient texts.
- The Sadat Museum: A fascinating exhibition dedicated to the life of former Egyptian president Anwar Sadat.
- The Planetarium: A glowing sphere next to the library, offering immersive science shows.
3. The Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa: A Fusion of Worlds
Prepare to descend into one of the most unusual tombs in the world. Discovered by accident in 1900 (when a donkey fell through the ground), the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa are a subterranean wonder.
Dating to the 2nd century AD, this necropolis is a perfect, bizarre, and beautiful blend of three cultures. You’ll see:
- Roman-style burial chambers and statues.
- Greek-style sculptures and columns.
- Ancient Egyptian-style carvings of gods like Anubis (dressed as a Roman legionary) and Sobek.
This tomb shows you, in one place, the unique cultural “melting pot” that was ancient Alexandria.
4. Pompey’s Pillar & The Serapeum
Rising from the center of the city is a single, massive 30-meter-tall column of red Aswan granite. This is Pompey’s Pillar. Despite its name, it has nothing to do with the Roman general Pompey. It was actually erected in 297 AD to honor the Emperor Diocletian.
What’s truly fascinating is its location: the ruins of the Serapeum, the “daughter library” of the Great Library. This was once a magnificent temple dedicated to the Greco-Egyptian god Serapis. Standing by the pillar, you are in the heart of Alexandria’s ancient acropolis.
