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The Catacombs of Kom Esh-Shokafa: Roman-Egyptian Underworld

Descend into one of the "Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages" at the Catacombs of Kom Esh-Shokafa in Alexandria. Discovered by a falling donkey, this 2nd-century Roman tomb is a bizarre and unique "fusion" of art. See the god Anubis dressed as a Roman soldier, a Greek Medusa on an Egyptian tomb, and a Roman-style banquet hall for funeral feasts. It's the most fascinating, "hidden gem" on any Alexandria day trip.

In 1900, a donkey pulling a cart in Alexandria suddenly vanished, swallowed by the earth. When its owner went to investigate, he peered into a dark hole in the ground… and discovered one of the most bizarre and fascinating wonders of the ancient world.

Welcome to the Catacombs of Kom Esh-Shokafa, a 2nd-century AD Roman necropolis that is, without a doubt, the most unique and important archaeological site in Alexandria.

This is not a pharaonic tomb. It is a multi-level, subterranean “city of the dead” that was carved deep into the bedrock. But its true magic is its art. This is the single best place in the world to see the weird, wonderful, and unique fusion of three great cultures: Ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman, all blended together.

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What’s in a Name? The “Mound of Shards”

Private Alexandria Day Trip from Cairo; Exploring the Graeco-Roman Pearl of the Mediterranean

The name “Kom Esh-Shokafa” is Arabic for “Mound of Shards” or “Hill of Broken Pottery.”

Why? Because for centuries, this was a popular spot for funeral feasts and memorial banquets. Visiting families would bring food and wine in terracotta pots. As a custom, they would smash the pottery before leaving, rather than risk bringing the “pollution” of death back into their homes. Over the years, these broken shards piled up into a massive hill.

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The Adventure: Descending into the Underworld

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A visit to the Catacombs is a true adventure. You will leave the sunny, noisy streets of Alexandria and descend deep into a cool, silent, and mysterious underworld. Your ticket grants you access to a labyrinth of passages and chambers.

Your Egypt Fun Tours guide will lead you through this incredible site, step by step.

1. The Spiral Staircase & The Rotunda

Your journey begins with a descent down a massive spiral staircase. This grand staircase winds its way around a central, hollow “light well,” which was also used to lower the deceased into the tombs below.

This staircase opens into the Rotunda, a large, circular chamber that served as the main lobby. From here, you can access the different levels and chambers of the necropolis.

2. The Triclinium (The Roman Banquet Hall)

Just off the Rotunda is one of the site’s most fascinating rooms: the Triclinium. This is a Roman-style banquet hall, complete with three stone couches carved into the rock.

This is where the families of the deceased would gather for a funeral feast, eating, drinking, and celebrating the life of their loved ones right next to their final resting place.

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3. The Main Burial Chamber (The “Fusion” Room)

Catacombs of Alexandria

This is the heart of the catacombs and the main event. You’ll descend to the lowest level to a tomb that is set up like a grand Roman temple… but the decorations will make you do a double-take.

This is where the bizarre and beautiful fusion of art is at its best. Your guide will point out:

  • The Guards: Flanking the tomb’s entrance are two statues. At first glance, they look Egyptian, but look closer. It’s the god Anubis… but he’s dressed in the full armor of a Roman legionary, complete with a kilt and sandals.
  • The Gods in Armor: On the other side, you’ll see the crocodile-god Sobek, also in Roman armor.
  • Greek Meets Egypt: Inside, you’ll find a classic, three-person burial setup (like a Roman sarcophagus), but the reliefs above them are pure, mixed-up magic. You’ll see Egyptian pharaohs offering gifts to Egyptian gods, right next to Greek-style Medusa heads (a symbol to ward off evil) and Roman columns.

This room is a perfect snapshot of Alexandria’s “melting pot” culture. They were Romans, living in a Greek-founded city, who still held on to the ancient, powerful magic of the Egyptian afterlife.

4. The “Hall of Caracalla” (A Bonus Mystery)

Nearby, and often included in your ticket, is the “Hall of Caracalla.” This is a separate, more recently discovered mass-burial chamber. It is filled with the bones of dozens of young men and horses who, according to legend, were massacred by the Roman Emperor Caracalla in 215 AD.

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Why Visit The Catacombs of Kom Esh-Shokafa?

  • It’s Utterly Unique: You will never see this blend of art anywhere else on Earth.
  • A “Wonder” of its Time: It was considered one of the “Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages.”
  • A Cool Escape: It’s a “hidden gem” in more ways than one! The catacombs are entirely underground, providing a perfect, cool, and shady escape from the hot Alexandrian sun.

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How to Visit with Egypt Fun Tours

The Catacombs of Kom Esh-Shokafa are an essential stop on any Alexandria day trip from Cairo. They are a “must-see,” along with the Citadel and the new Library.

The site can be a bit dark and confusing. Let your Egypt Fun Tours guide handle the tickets, navigate the underground passages, and, most importantly, “translate” the bizarre art for you. We’ll tell you the stories behind the Roman-Egyptian gods and bring this incredible underworld to life.

Contact Us to Add the Catacombs to Your Alexandria Tour!

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