Alexandria, Egypt: overview, photos with descriptions, sights, interesting facts and tourist reviews

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

Alexandria in Egypt is the second largest city in the country. The settlement is located 225 kilometers from the capital of the state of Cairo. The city has more Mediterranean features than eastern ones. It is very ancient and was founded in 332 BC. To this day, the ancient, original layout has been preserved. And these are long and clear lines of main streets, which are located parallel to the sea coastline. The remaining streets are not long and intersect at right angles.

The area is famous for its magnificent and snow-white beaches (more than 32 kilometers), mild winters and virgin nature.

Geography and climate

The country is partly located in northeast Africa and part of the Sinai Peninsula (Asia). About 96% of the entire area of the state is covered with desert, and the remaining 4% are the Nile Valley.

The climate in the city of Alexandria is characterized as Mediterranean. In winter, it rains moderately with an average temperature of +16degrees. Summer is hot, with temperatures from +30 degrees. The hottest season is from July to September, during this period there is almost no rainfall.

History

The city of Alexandria in Egypt is an ancient settlement founded in 332 BC. Although numerous sources give conflicting evidence about the year the city was founded.

According to one version, it was Alexander the Great who drew the outlines of the settlement with millet grains, since he did not have chalk at hand. Then birds flocked to this scheme, pecking at almost all the grain, which was regarded as good news, that is, the city would prosper.

After the construction of Alexandria for a long time was the capital of the Egyptian state. It was here that all spiritual life was concentrated. From this city began the Christianization of the whole country and the simultaneous persecution of the Orthodox.

Already in the 7th century, the city fell under the rule of the Arabs. Since then, the decline has begun. The second heyday came in the 19th century. Muhammad Ali succeeded in connecting the city to the Nile by building the Mahmudiya Canal. To date, there are many monuments of Muslim and ancient culture.

Attractions

Alexandria in Egypt is a huge number of monuments, and one of the most important is the Foros Lighthouse. Yes, nothing remains of this great building from the 3rd century BC. However, in 2015, the Egyptian authorities decided to build a prototype lighthouse on a historical site. The second attraction that glorified the city to the whole world isLibrary of Alexandria. The main fund of the library was lost in 273 AD, later the rest was plundered and burned down. In 2002, a new library building was erected.

Alexandrian Library

Today it is an ultra-modern building erected in 2002. Indeed, it is hard to imagine the history of Alexandria in Egypt without a huge fund of handwritten books. It was in this library that the manuscripts of sages from all over the world were preserved in different languages and written in different periods of the development of civilization. In ancient times, access to all works was absolutely free for both the rich and the poor. All expenses for the maintenance of the library were borne by the state treasury. Over the course of several centuries, the collection of manuscripts survived many fires, and as a result, almost all the works were destroyed.

The modern library also contains a huge and priceless collection of manuscripts, and the walls are decorated with quotes from ancient sages. Even the modern fund has more than 500 thousand manuscripts, which are open access, and more than 7.5 million works in storage.

According to tourists, this is entertainment for everyone.

Anfushi Quarter

It is in this place that you can learn about what Alexandria was like in Egypt. This is the burial place of ancient rulers. All the tombs are made of rocks on which ancient inscriptions are carved. Those who are not superstitious can not only look at the graves on the surface, but also go down the steepstairs down.

According to travelers, you should still go down, where you can see unique ancient images of the gods on the walls. And at the entrance to the main tomb there are two sphinxes guarding them. According to some reports, one of the famous emperors is buried here, but there is no scientific confirmation of this fact.

The quarter itself is characterized by an interesting and specific infrastructure. There are many restaurants and cafes where you can have a tasty meal and, most importantly, inexpensively.

Royal Jewels Museum

If you come to Egypt, to Alexandria, then you should definitely visit this museum. It is located within the walls of an old mansion, which contains a magnificent collection of jewelry from the most ancient dynasties that have ever lived on this territory.

The building itself is an interesting landmark, as it covers an area of about four square kilometers. Magnificent precious items shine against the background of walls with a calm and even modest decoration. There are more than 11 thousand exhibits here, some of which are absolutely priceless.

According to the reviews of tourists, the museum is best visited in the morning, when the sun practically “plays” with every stone and it seems that all the jewels come to life.

Kom ash-Shawkafa catacombs

This is another attraction of the city of Alexandria in Egypt, which is not to be missed. Scientists agreed that underground Roman burials appeared around the 2nd century AD. These are as many as three tiers of burials. However, onToday, the bottom two are flooded with water.

To get down, you have to go down a spiral staircase to a depth of 30 meters. Then long and narrow corridors begin, along the way there are halls with niches where burial urns are located. Funeral feasts were once held in the first room to the left of the central rotunda.

All chapels are decorated with inscriptions and drawings, and the entrance is "protected" by Anubis and a dragon with the head of a dog or a monkey, disputes on this matter are still relevant. Some people are buried in special wells, and some - in the corridors, in the rocks.

Reviews of experienced tourists say that it is impossible to understand what culture people were buried here, there are Christian, Greek and Roman styles. Everything is heavily mixed.

Al-Mursi Abu-l-Abbas Mosque

This mosque is considered the most charming not only in the city of Alexandria in Egypt, but throughout the world. It is located in the same quarter of Anfushi. It was built in the XIV century. Over the course of many centuries, the building was rebuilt and replanned many times, so it is quite difficult to say that it looks the same as at the time of construction. The walls of the mosque are 23 meters high, and the largest minaret is 73 meters high.

According to travelers, if you are planning an independent visit, then in the search for a mosque, focus on the Kite Bay fortress and Palm Alley.

Kait Bay Fortress

Of course, once in Alexandria (Egypt), you should definitely visit this fortress. itmajestic and magnificent representative of the architecture of the XV century. The fortress was erected during the reign of Sultan Kutbey. But the most interesting thing is that the building was erected on the site where the Lighthouse of Alexandria once flaunted.

Rest

But a vacation in Alexandria (Egypt) is not only visiting and sightseeing. This is another opportunity to soak up the warm sun on the beaches, which cover more than 30 kilometers. The city itself is the most modern and Europeanized in all of Egypt after Cairo.

The most popular in this city is the beach "Sidi Abdel Rahman". Here, on the very coastline, there are villas and hotels, and the beach itself is located in the bay, where the sea is unusually warm and clear. Rest is suitable for children, as the descent into the sea is gradual. In addition, it is sand, gentle and beautiful, from which Egyptian pyramids can be molded. However, it should be remembered, this is also confirmed by the reviews of visitors, that all the beaches in this part of the coast belong to hotels, so you can’t just swim here.

Agami Beach and Hannoville

These two beaches are also among the most popular on the entire coast. They are located about one mile apart. The infrastructure is well developed here. Not far from Hannoville is another popular Sidi Kreir beach. This is almost 3 km of the purest sand, although the entrance here is paid. According to tourists, you should not save money if you want to take a break from compatriots and tourists from other countries. Naturally, this is only a small fraction of the beaches where you canhave a great time.

Where to stay

There are many hotels in Alexandria in Egypt. And for every taste and budget, from five-star hotels to hostels.

One of the most famous in the world is the Sheraton Montazah, a well-deserved five-star hotel. This is a fifteen-story building on the shore of the city beach. Even Russian tourists leave only positive reviews about this hotel. There are all conditions for a relaxing holiday. Breakfast buffet provided.

But in Egypt, in Alexandria, there are places where a budget tourist can feel great.

The Transit Alexandria hostel is very popular. Here, for little money, you can get almost all the conditions that will allow you to have a good rest. There is a laundry room and a kitchen. You can stay with children. It is important that there are no places for smokers to stay. The cost of accommodation is about 15 dollars per day (about 900 rubles).

Naturally, this is described as extreme. The city has plenty of mid-range places to stay where breakfast is served, and hotels are located on the coastline, in the city center and on the outskirts, where tourists of all wallet sizes will find shelter.

Egypt and the city of Alexandria is a unique opportunity to combine visiting ancient sights with an excellent holiday on the beautiful coast. However, to understand in a short period of time the beauty and historical value of the city and the countryprobably will not work, you will have to come here several times.