  Alexandria
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 647 Alexandria Tips.1281 Alexandria Photos.0 Alexandria Videos. Alexandria Pages by Kuznetsov_Sergey
Tips 1 - 9 of 9 Alexandria Things to Do
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There is a hill littered with the remains of ancient walls in the southwest of the city, near the large Arab cemetery. Alexandria's largest ancient monument, Pompey's Pillar, stands there. It is rising from the ruins of the ancient and famous Serapeion (Temple of Serapis). This column of red Aswan granite with a Corinthian capital, rising to a height of almost 27m with a circumference of 9m, is traditionally believed to have been erected by the Emperor Theodosius to commemorate the victory of Christianity over paganism and the destruction of the Serapeion in 391. More probably, however, it was set up in 292 in honor of Diocletian, who supplied food for the starving population after the siege of the city.
The Arabs called it "Amoud el-Sawari", Column of the Horsemen. The Pillar is the tallest ancient monument in Alexandria.
The surrounding area includes the remains of the Serapeum temple, the “daughter” library of Alexandria and a “Nilometer” for measuring the annual Nile Floods. Nearby are subterranean galleries, where the sacred Apis bulls were buried, and three sphinxes.
Address: Ahmed as-Saweiri St., Karmouz. Tel: 4825800. Opening Times: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Entrance fee LE10 ($2).
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The Roman Theatre is situated in a general area called Kom el Dikka, which has become the city's largest archaeological park. Built in the IV century AD, it remained in use until about the VII century AD, or about the time of the Arab invasion. It was discovered during the 1960s when a government building was planned for this location over the ruins of a Napoleonic fort that had earlier been destroyed. However, during excavation, the ruins of the Roman theatre were found.
The amphitheater consists of thirteen gray and white marble levels of terraces that lead down to the arena. Its buttressed wall was designed in a semicircular style to act as a passageway that ran beneath the early theater.
The theatre has seating, elevated towards the rear part, in the shape of a horseshoe. There are thirteen rows of white and gray marble seats, except for the first row which was made of red granite to give strength to the structure. The marble was imported from Europe (probably Italy). It could hold up to 800 people. The step seating of the Roman Theatre was built upon a thick limestone wall with another brick wall surrounding that one. The two walls were linked.
Open 9.00 – 17.00. Entrance fee LE15 ($3). You may see my ticket at the fifth pic.
You may watch my high resolution photos on Google Earth in Alexandria Roman Theatre according to the following coordinates 31º 11' 40.15" N 29º 54' 13.13" E
or on my Google Earth Panoramio Photo 1, Photo 2.
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Address: kom el dikka
Directions: few stpes from main train station of Alexandria
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The catacomb of Kom El-Shuqafa (Shoqafa, Shaqafa) is one of Alexandria's most memorable monuments. The Catacombs of Kom el-Shukafa ("Hill of Potsherds") were hewn from the rock on the southern slopes of a hill in the second century A.D. The catacombs, which may have been the burial place of a particular religious community, were discovered in 1900. They are laid out on several levels.
A spiral staircase with a large circular light shaft runs down two stories from the entrance, the lower of which is generally under water.
Off the upper level opens a rotunda with a domed roof, to the right of which are two smaller chambers with niches, sarcophagi and loculi (shelf tombs).
Open 9.00 – 17.00. Entrance fee LE25 ($5). You may see my ticket at the second pic. Photo and video forbidden.
You may watch my high resolution photos on Google Earth in Alexandria Catacombs according to the following coordinates 31º 10' 43.98" N 29º 53' 35.11" E
or on my Google Earth Panoramio Photo 1, Photo 2.
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Directions: at western end of Alexandria
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Things To Do: St. Mark's Coptic Cathedral
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St. Mark the Evangelist (author of the second Gospel) has been connected with the city of Alexandria since earliest Christian tradition. Coptic Christians believe he arrived in Alexandria around 60 AD and stayed for about seven years. According to tradition, St. Mark was arrested during a festival of Serapis in 68 AD and martyred by being dragged through the streets.
St. Mark's Coptic Cathedral in Alexandria is the seat of the Pope of Alexandria, the head of the Coptic Orthodox Church. The cathedral is said to stand on the site of the church founded by St. Mark. He was buried under the church he had founded.
The relics of the saint were later swiped by the Venetians for installation in their own St. Mark's Basilica. However, the head of the saint remained in Alexandria. It has been lost for over 250 years. Some of the relics from the body of St. Mark, however, were returned to Alexandria from Rome in 1968.
The present St. Mark's Coptic Cathedral is of recent date.
Official website: here
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It is one of the main tourist attractions of Alexandria and really one of the highlights of the city. It has a beautiful location, overlooking and with a great view of the Mediterranean Sea and of Alexandria as well. The fortress reminds a storybook castle. It was was built by Qaitbey (Quait-bey), who ruled Egypt between 1468 and 1496.
The main tower itself was built on an old island called Pharos, so named because this was the location of the famous Pharos lighthouse, one of the wonders of the ancient world, before it was toppled by an earthquake into the sea. The outer walls were built by Sultan el Ghouri.
Open 9.00 - 17.00. Ticket - LE15 ($3).
You may watch my high resolution photos on Google Earth in Alexandria Fort according to the following coordinates 31º 12' 48.20" N 29º 53' 2.14" E
or on my Google Earth Panoramio Photo 1, Photo 2.
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Address: eastern of alexandria-Anfushi area
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Abu El Abbas El Mursi is considered one of the most important historic mosques in Alexandria and Egypt as well. It was constructed in 1775 by Algerians, over the tomb of the thirteenth century Murcia Andalusan saint, Ahmed Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi (Abu'l 'Abbas).
The cream-colored Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque stands 23 m high and dressed in artificial stone, with a minaret on the southern side rising to 73 m.
It is situated on Midan el Masaged (Mosque Square) near the shore of the eastern harbor. The minaret has an Ayoubids design, with four sections of different shapes. The mosque has an entrance on the north and one on the east, both of which overlook the square. The main part of the mosque is an octagon, with internal walls are dressed in artificial stone.
Woman cannot visit the mosque itself, but can visit the mausolem and view the interior of the mosque from behind a barrier.
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El-Muntaza area is situated along the coast about 20 kilometers east of Alexandrias old district. We reached it while driving along the Corniche where many of the modern Alexandrian hotels are located. The magnificent Muntaza Palace and Park is certainly a highlight of Alexandria.
This complex is surrounded by great walls from the south, east and west, and with the beach on its north side. This area used to belong to the Mohamed Ali family, which ruled Egypt from the mid XIXth century until 1952. The construction was started in 1892 by King Abbas II, who built a large palace inside the complex called the Salamlek. In 1932 King Fuad built a larger palace and called it the Haramlik.
Park Open 7.00-23.00. Ticket LE3 ($0.75).
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Address: Montaza
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The Park of Muntaza Palace is a former royal summer residence and now partly a museum (mementos of the monarchy). King Farouk built a beautiful bridge to the sea. The rest of the area is occupied by beautiful gardens. Palm trees and gazelles cover the area. The wonderful pavilion in classic style is located in the Park. This is a wonderful spot to enjoy the beauty of Alexandria. There were a lot of locals who spent their week-end there.
You may watch my VIDEO-Clip on my personal YouTube channel: 2 min 11 sec Egypt Alexandria Sea at Montaza Park 2007
You may watch my high resolution photos on Google Earth in Alexandria Muntaza Park according to the following coordinates: 31º 17' 24.50" N 30º 1' 20.62" E
or on my Google Earth Panoramio Photo 1 , Photo 2 , Photo 3 , Photo 4 , Photo 5
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Address: Montaza
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The Alexandria Library has now risen from the ashes of antiquity so that it might once more lead the world as a cultural center and a focal point for knowledge not only in Egypt, bur for the world as a whole. The revival of the Alexandria Library is a huge international project which cost millions of dollars. The library contains more than 8 million books and a reading area with two thousand seats. This library possess about 400000 volumes in hard and electronic copies. It is designed to hold 4 million volumes. In the future its capacity will reach 8 million using the compressed storage system.
The design concept is a simple circle inclined towards the sea, partly submerged in a pool of water, the image of the Egyptian sun, which in contemporary terms will illuminate the world and human civilization.
Moreover, an inclined roof allows indirect daylight and a clear view of the sea. Designed as an arrow, an elevated passageway links the University of Alexandria to the Corniche, the building is surrounded by a wall clad with Aswan granite engraved with calligraphic letters and representative inscriptions from the world civilizations.
The museum is housed in section B1 of the Library complex on the ground floor of the main building. After passing through the security gate of the Library, take the stairs that lead down to the ground floor. On the right side of the stairs is the ticket office. General admission costs 10 LE ($2) for foreign tourists.
You may watch my high resolution photos on Google Earth in Alexandria Library according to the following coordinates: 31º 12' 31.42" N 29º 54' 27.35" E
or on my Google Earth Panoramio Photo 1 , Photo 2 .
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Address: Shatby
Directions: take tram to drop you in Shatby tram station
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 Comments for Kuznetsov_Sergey about Alexandria | | | | |
volopolo Fri Feb 15, 2008 18:34 UTC
Great Photo! | Trekki Fri Jan 18, 2008 07:04 UTC
:-) I like your comparison of dinner without wine for the photo & video ban. How true!! And I smiled about the remains of St. Mark body, Venice is still claiming to have him completely. Alexandria looks nice and the music you added is fun :-)) | Bwana_Brown Wed Jan 9, 2008 02:26 UTC
You may have had a camera problem, but you still managed some beautiful views of Alexandria in this page! Very interesting tips on this famous ancient city that I have always wanted to visit. | Cristian_Uluru Sun Jan 6, 2008 08:49 UTC
Wonderful page!!! I'll add Alexandria on my next trip in Cairo. |
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