Alexandria, Egypt is a city in Egypt.
Included are the following topics:
- Alexandria, the Pearl of the Mediterranean – Highlights and Geographical Location
- The Citadel of Qaitbay – The Graeco-Roman Museum
- The Mediterranean’s “Pearl of the Orient”
Alexandria is characterized by a 20-kilometer-long palm-tree-lined esplanade and boulevards, opulent hotels, large lengths of fine sandy beach, and lush gardens. It is generally regarded as one of the world’s most beautiful summer destinations, especially in the Middle East.
Its cultural legacy, temperature (warm summers, moderate winters, and pleasantly warm spring and fall months), and cosmopolitan environment give it a Mediterranean flavor, in contrast to many other parts of Egypt. Alexandria is referred to as the ‘Pearl of the Mediterranean’ because of its beauty.
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Alexandria’s Most Interesting Features and Geographical Location
Alexandria, Egypt’s second-biggest city, has a population of over four million people and is the country’s major seaport, as well as the focal point of most of the country’s nautical industry. It is also one of Egypt’s oldest cities, and it is located around 225 kilometers northwest of the capital.
Historically, Alexandria was founded by Alexander the Great about 332 BC in the location of a small hamlet known as Rhakotis, according to historical documents. He wished to build one of the world’s most beautiful capital cities, one that would be remembered for the accomplishments of his reign in the years to come.
For over a thousand years, Alexandria served as Egypt’s capital and prospered as a result of its strategic commercial position between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea.
Alexandria was the epicenter of Egyptian culture and civilization. As a result, it became a center of learning for the ancient world, and it continues to be a significant intellectual hub to this day.
The picturesque Montazah Palace is set on a hill overlooking the sea and is one of the many attractions available for guests to enjoy. It used to be the summer residence of the Egyptian royal family, and it currently serves as a museum dedicated to them. It is situated among Alexandria’s most beautiful gardens and was built in a Turkish and Italian architectural style. They are free and accessible to the public, and it is worth your time to stop by.
Tourists rush to Alexandria for its excellent diving locations as well as its beautiful beaches, which are among the greatest in Egypt, if not the whole Mediterranean region. The beaches of Al-Ma’moura, Mandara, Al-Assafrah, Mami, Sidi Bishr, and Montazah, as well as Sidi Gaber, Rushdi, Stanley, Gleem, and Cleopatra, are among the most well-known in the area. All of them are strewn around the corniche, which is a coastal avenue.
Citadel of Qaitbay
The Qaitbay Citadel, a turreted fortification that was erected on the site of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, in the 15th century, is a must-see attraction in Alexandria. It is thought that the stones from the ancient lighthouse, which was erected on an island in the harbor in the 3rd century BC, were utilized in its construction, according to legend.
Excavations in the harbor continue to this day, and additional old stone has just been discovered, which is thought to have originally been a component of the lighthouse’s construction.
There are several mosques in the city, the most noteworthy of which are the Al-Mursi Abul Abbas Mosque, which has a high minaret and domes that dominate the city’s skyline, and the Al-Attareen Mosque, which was built in the 14th century.
The Museum of the Graeco-Roman World
The Graeco-Roman Museum, situated in the center of contemporary Alexandria, includes a remarkable collection of 40,000 or more objects discovered in and around the city, some of which date back as far as 332 BC. The museum is open to the public on weekends and holidays.
The museum, which opened its doors in the nineteenth century and immediately established itself as a major exhibitor of ancient relics, continues to be a popular attraction in Alexandria today, alongside the National Museum of Alexandria.
In addition to historical sites, Alexandria is home to numerous archeological sites, including a Roman amphitheater at Kom Al-Dekka, a Serapium pillar dating from the 3rd century AD known as Pompey’s Pillar, the ancient catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, which contain a mixture of Pharaonic and Greco Roman art, the Al-Shatby Necropolis site, which contains a series of tombs, and the Al-Shatby Ne
While the city honors its illustrious history, it also takes a contemporary approach to delivering services and amenities to its people and tourists.
This is most clearly shown by the inauguration of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a significant library and cultural institution that will help to restore Alexandria to its former academic prominence. It is located near the site of the old Library of Alexandria, which dates back to the 3rd century and was regarded to be the biggest library in the ancient world at the time of its construction.
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