1139 Travel Guide

The Bibliotheca Alexandrina is a grand modern library in Alexandria, rebuilt to honor the ancient world-famous "Library of Alexandria." With its striking design and role as a center of culture and knowledge, it is a major landmark that carries on the city's long tradition of knowledge and civilization. Alexandria was founded by Alexander the Great and in antiquity (especially the Hellenistic Ptolemaic period) was the Mediterranean's cultural, scholarly and commercial center. The ancient Library of Alexandria was the greatest library and temple of knowledge of the ancient world, gathering countless scrolls and scholars, the peak of ancient civilization—yet it was tragically destroyed and lost over time. The modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina, supported by UNESCO and others, was rebuilt in the early 21st century to revive that glory and spirit. Its design is unique and stunning—a giant tilted cylinder like a sun rising from the Mediterranean (or a great disc), its roof leaning toward the sea, its outer walls inscribed with the scripts of the world—a masterpiece of modern architecture. Inside, a vast tiered main reading hall holds huge collections, alongside museums, exhibition halls and a planetarium—a comprehensive cultural center. Visiting it is a culturally meaningful Alexandria experience.

The Citadel of Qaitbay rises on a reef off Alexandria harbour, built in 1480 by Sultan Qaitbay upon the ruins of the ancient Pharos Lighthouse. The square fortress meets the sea breeze; from its walls you overlook the Mediterranean and the port — Alexandria's sturdiest yet most romantic sea-defence landmark.

Pompey's Pillar is a towering ancient granite column in Alexandria, a grand triumphal column of single red Aswan granite atop a temple ruin—one of the city's most famous ancient (Roman-era) relics, full of historical weight. Pompey's Pillar is a massive column of single red Aswan granite (with base and capital, about 20-plus meters total), soaring and majestic, the most prominent ancient relic in Alexandria. Note: though popularly called "Pompey's Pillar" (a later misnomer linking it to the Roman general Pompey), it has nothing to do with Pompey—it was erected in the late 3rd century AD to honor the Roman emperor Diocletian (likely thanking him for relief during famine or for quelling rebellion), thus a Roman triumphal column. It stands where an ancient temple once rose—the Serapeum (dedicated to Serapis, an important religious sanctuary said to have housed a famous library branch)—now ruined, leaving only this soaring column as witness to past glory. Some other ruins (such as a sphinx) scatter the site. Visiting Pompey's Pillar is a historically meaningful Alexandria stop.

Montazah Palace, the Egyptian royal family's former summer retreat, hides in sprawling seaside gardens on Alexandria's eastern edge. Its fanciful towers blend Turkish and Florentine styles above a private cove once enjoyed by King Farouk. Lawns, palms and coastal walks are now open to all.

Nabi Daniel Mosque stands in the heart of old Alexandria. Islamic tradition holds that the prophet Daniel is buried here, and the site has been rebuilt many times, weaving Jewish, Christian and Muslim legend. Entry may be limited for non-Muslims, but the old-town streets around reward a stroll.

El-Mursi Abul-Abbas Mosque, Alexandria's largest, honours a 13th-century Sufi saint; its present form dates from a 20th-century rebuild. Andalusian-style minarets and brilliant white domes stand beside the Corniche, glowing at night over the Mediterranean—one of the city's grandest landmarks.