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 Alexandria
is named after Alexander the Great. The great
leader came to Egypt to fight against the
Persians, who had invaded Egypt few years
before.
In 333 BC Alexander entered Memphis, which was
at that time the ancient capital of Egypt. He
was most welcomed by Egyptians as a King.
Afterwards, Alexander decided to visit the
famous Oracle Temple of Amon in Siwa, to consult
his destiny. He stopped to rest at an old
Egyptian village called in Greek "Racotis".
It was located between the Mediterranean Sea and
the Lake of Mariott (located in the area of
Karmouz). Alexander decided to build a town
there, which became afterwards Alexandria. |
After that, he continued to Siwa, to consult the
oracle and then left Egypt to fight the
Persians. After his triumph, Alexander the Great
died in Babylon in 323 BC without seeing the
city which beard his name. The building of the
city was completed during the reign of of
Ptolemy I, and his successor Ptolemy. It became
the main capital after wards.
The City had been planned in squares, like a
chessboard. Two main streets interlaced
vertically and horizontally from east to west
and from north to south. Alexandria had 5
districts. Each one of the 5 districts was named
after a letter of the first five letters in the
Greek Alphabet.
About 30 BC and at the beginning of the Roman
period, a new city was built here by the Romans.
It beard the name of "Nicopolis",
meaning the city of Victory. Most of it was
destroyed for several reasons, such as civil
wars, natural disasters, etc. |
The remainder of the fabulous monuments, are the
Enclosure Walls , the Gates of the City, the
Lighthouse, the Great Library, the Royal
Necropolis and the Tomb of Alexander and the
Museums.
Today the remaining monuments of ancient
Alexandria are scattered in various locations.
Some 'dating back to the Ptolemaic period, are
found in El-Shatby, Moustafa Kamel, El-Anfoushy,
and El-Wardain. Others, which are dating back to
the Roman period are embodied in the tombs of
Kom El-Shouqafa (called the Catacombs),
Pompeii's pillar.
Other important monuments in the city date back
to various periods, such as the Roman Theatre,
Citadel of Quaitbay, the Jewellery Museum,
Mosque of El-Moursi Abou El-Abbas and the
Memorial of the unknown soldier. |
 The Catacombs Kom
El-Shouqafa
The Catacombs lie in Karmouz, east of Alexandria. The area was called also Kom
El-Shouqafa . It dates back to the 1st century A.D. It was discovered in 1900 by chance.
The Catacombs of Alexandria are called so also because the design is similar to the Christian Catacombs in Rome. First, it was a private tomb, later it turned to a public cemetery. It consists of 3 levels with three recesses in it. In each recess there is a sarcophagus. The Catacombs also contain a large number of grooves cut in the rock. |
 Pompey's Pillar
"Pompey's Pillar" is the biggest memorial column in Egypt. It is a huge column of red granite. Its height is about 28 m with a diameter at the base of 2.7 m.
On the upper part at the western side is an inscription in Greek. The Roman ruler of Egypt, during the reign of the Roman Emperor
Diocletian, erected this memorial column in honor of the Roman Emperor. A serious revolt in the city took place and Diocletian came himself, and he put the city under siege. The city surrendered. There was famine in the city; and the Emperor ordered a portion of the corn, which was sent to Rome annually, be given to the people of Alexandria. He exempted them also from paying taxes. Accordingly, they erected in his
honor, this memorial Pillar. In the middle ages, the Crusaders believed that the ashes of the Roman general Pompey were in a pot at the top of the column. It was a mistake , but they believed so , and it was named "Pompey's Pillar". |
 The Quaitbay Citadel
The Quaitbay Citadel is considered one of the most important defensive citadels, not only in Egypt, but also along the cost of the Mediterranean Sea.
The Citadel is situated on the eastern harbour in Alexandria. It was erected on the site of the famous Lighthouse of Alexandria, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
About 1480 A.D, the Sultan Al-Ashraf Quaitbay fortified the place as defensive part of his coast against the Turks, who were threatening Egypt at that time. He built the castle and a Mosque inside it. The Citadel continued its defensive function during the Mamluke period, the Ottoman period and the Modern period. Later, it became neglected until the 20th century, when it was restored several times by the Egyptian Counsel of Antiquities. |
The founder of the Citadel is Sultan Al-Ashraf Abou Anasr Saif El-Din Quaitbay
El-Jerkasy Al-Zahiry (1468-1496 A.D). He was a Mamluke and came to Egypt when he was less than 20 years old.
Al-Ashraf Bersbay brought him to Egypt. Then Al-Ashraf Bersbay died. Then the Sultan Djaqmaq bought
Qaitbay, and gave him his freedom. Qaitbay became the Chief of the Army during the reign of the Sultan Tamar
bugha.
Qaitbay travelled to Alexandria, with some other Mameluke princes, to visit the site of the old lighthouse. During his visit he ordered the building of the Citadel.
He provided the fort with brave soldiers and various weapons. He financed the construction works as well as the salaries of the soldiers.
The Citadel was well maintained by all the successors who came after
Quaitbay.
Sultan Qansoh El-Ghoury gave the Citadel special attention. He visited it several times and increased the strength of it. He provided it with various weapons.
Even the Ottoman Turks who had conquered Egypt, cared for the Citadel. They used it as shelter, exactly as they had done with the Citadel of Saladin in Cairo and the Citadels of
Damieta, Rosetta, Al Borollos and El-Arish.
When Mohammed Ali became the ruler of Egypt in 1805, he renovated the old Citadel. He provided it with most modern weapons of the period. The reign of Mohamed Ali was another golden era for the Citadel.
The successors of Mohammed Ali paid also great attention to the castle , till Orabi revolution happened . The british fleet bombarded Alexandria , and great damage happened to the city especially the area of the Citadel.
The Citadel remained neglected after the British attack until 1904 . In 1904 , the Ministry of Defence restored the Upper floors of the Citadel. |
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