Cavafy’s house was opened as a museum on November 16, 1992, The museum opened in the apartment where Constantine Cavafy (1863–1933) spent the last 25 years of his life.
The street was known as Rue Lepsius during Cavafy’s time, but it has since been renamed Sharm El Sheikh. In Alexandria, not only have the street names changed, but Cavafy lived in a city that was well-known as a commercial and cosmopolitan center, a centuries-long crossroads of civilizations, and the capital of memories that the poet, along with E.M. Forster, Lawrence Durrell, and Stratis, described so provocatively.
Cavafy’s House
Cavafy’s house is situated between St. Saba’s Greek Orthodox Church, the Greek Hospital, and the city’s bordellos, which he referred to as “the temple of the soul,” “the temple of the body,” and “the temple of the flesh.”.
After his death, the flat was transformed into a low-cost hospital, and when the Cavafy International Committee leased it in 1991, it was still being used as a pension.
Cavafy’s library, which had been preserved by famous scholar professor George Savidis, was also brought back to the flat, together with material from a modest collection dedicated to the poet originally kept at the Greek Consulate General in Alexandria’s Shatby neighborhood.
Even though most of Cavafy’s belongings were sold after his death, the ambiance of his house has been reproduced with the cooperation of some of his live friends, and numerous pictures help to conjure the mood of his period. Cavafy’s work has been translated into numerous languages, and his books and essays give a unique glimpse into the poet’s life and times.
Cavafy’s House – Museum Reviews
- Cute Cavafy House: A small and cute museum, the house of the big poet. For people who love Cavafy, it is a very nice place with a great collection of his works. It is not very easy to find it as there are no signs, but if you are lucky, you will meet a very kind local man (who sells cute souvenirs) who will show you the staircase to the museum. As Greeks, we were truly enthusiastic that the man in the museum spoke Greek!
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Everything Cavafy: Constantine P. Cavafy is most probably my favorite poet, so you can imagine my excitement when visiting his former home, where he lived for the last 25 years of his life. I was pretty much awe-struck, knowing that this was the street he often walked along, standing at the window’s edge, looking out into his beloved Alexandria. Most of his furniture, – seen in the old photos of the apartment, has gone, although there are still a lot of beautiful pieces, along with many writings and photos. Unfortunately, they do not sell any books. The museum didn’t have much in English so I recommend using a translation app to scan the text into the language that you need. On the day I visited, it was free although donated. If you are trying to tap into a former vision of Alexandria, a former-century, nostalgia, then you will find it here.
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Cavafy’s House, The home of the great Greek poet: The house where the great Greek poet lived! In the rooms of the house, there are all the objects and books of Cavafy! His office, his bed, his collections! A visit to the museum is worth it, especially if you are Greek or admire the work of the poet!
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Where poets create greatness: Cavafy’s House is located on the second floor of an old turn-of-the-century house on a small side street. This is where the great poet lived and created. At his time, Alexandria was a multinational city where Greeks, Jews, Armenians, and others lived and prospered. Arabic element was a minority. This district was filled with nighttime entertainment for a man’s darkest desires. This is where he inspired and lived. The apartment is filled with pictures of his younger and latter years, his handwritten will and birth certificate in Greek, and many scripts and books. Some publications are also sold to provide an income for the preservation of the place. The furniture is not antique but a true replica of the original, except for a couple of pieces. It is worth a visit, as from this place stems part of the world literature that belongs to all people.