Alexandria Egypt 3/22.23/2026
Alexandria, Egypt
Alexandria is a Mediterranean port city in Egypt. During the Hellenistic period, it was home to a lighthouse ranking among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World as well as a storied library. Today the library is reincarnated in the disc-shaped, ultramodern Bibliotheca Alexandrina. The city also has Greco-Roman landmarks, old-world cafes and sandy beaches. Its 15th-century seafront Qaitbay Citadel is now a museum.
When we decided to not continue on to Jordan, we had 6 days to fill. We chose to stay in Egypt for a few more days and drove to Alexandria for 2 days and of course more touring. We had 3 stops on the first day, the Catacombs, Pompeii's Pillar and the Jewelry museum.
We stayed at The Four Seasons on the water. Fabulous hotel.
These hand-dug structures first appeared around the third century C.E. Catacombs are sometimes associated with Christian martyrs, or people who were killed for their Christian beliefs. However, some of the earliest catacombs were Jewish burial places, and pagans built and used these underground structures as well and are considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages.
The Royal Jewelry Museum is an enchanting place with a rich history and a must-visit destination for any jewelry enthusiast or history buff. Located in Alexandria, Egypt, this museum is a true gem that showcases the breathtaking collection of jewelry once owned by the royal family of Egypt.
The story begins in the late 19th century when Egypt was under the reign of King Farouk and the royal family was known for their extravagant taste in jewelry.
During this era, Egypt was a prominent center of opulence and luxury, and the royal family commissioned some of the most brilliant jewelers and artisans to create stunning pieces of jewelry. The collection grew over the years, with each generation adding their own unique touch to the already remarkable assortment.
As the political landscape in Egypt changed, so did the fate of the royal family and their jewelry. In 1952, a revolution took place, leading to the downfall of the monarchy. As a result, the royal family was forced to leave the country and their treasured collection behind.
For many years, the jewelry remained hidden and almost forgotten, until the idea of creating a museum dedicated to showcasing this magnificent collection emerged. In 1986, the former palace of Princess Fatma Al-Zahra, one of the daughters of King Farouk, was transformed to establish the Royal Jewelry Museum. This decision not only preserved the historical significance of the jewelry but also allowed people to appreciate the beauty and craftsmanship that went into creating these masterpieces.
Walking through the Royal Jewelry Museum doors is like stepping into a time capsule. The museum is divided into several rooms, each displaying a different era of Egyptian history. From the early Pharaonic period to the Ottoman Empire, each section tells a unique story and showcases the evolution of jewelry design throughout the ages.
One of the highlights of the museum is the collection of Queen Farida, the first wife of King Farouk. Her jewelry reflects the Art Deco style popular during the 1920s and 1930s, with geometric shapes, vibrant gemstones, and delicate filigree work. One can't help but be captivated by the sheer beauty and elegance of these pieces.
Another section not to be missed is the collection of Queen Nariman, the second wife of King Farouk. Her jewelry is a testament to the lavishness of the era, with impressive diamond tiaras, necklaces dripping with emeralds and rubies, and intricate bracelets and brooches fit for a queen.
As you wander through the museum, you'll also come across the collections of other members of the royal family, each offering a glimpse into their individual tastes and personalities. From Princess Fawzia's delicate pearl necklaces to Queen Nazli's impressive diamond parure, each piece tells a story and adds to the overall grandeur of the museum.
Our second day in Alexandria, we visited Alexandria Library, Graeco-Roman Museum, and Qaitbay Citadel, followed by a great lunch at the waterside.
Alexandria Library
The loss of the ancient world's single greatest archive of knowledge, the Library of Alexandria, has been lamented for ages.
Alexandria was founded in Egypt by Alexander the Great. However, it was his successor as Pharaoh, Ptolemy I Soter, who founded the Museum (also called Museum of Alexandria, Greek Mouseion, “Seat of the Muses”) or Royal Library of Alexandria in 283 BC. The Museum was a shrine of the Muses modeled after the Lyceum of Aristotle in Athens. The Museum was a place of study that included lecture areas, gardens, a zoo, and shrines for each of the nine muses as well as the library itself. Historians have estimated that at one time the Library of Alexandria held over half a million documents from Assyria, Greece, Persia, Egypt, India, and many other nations. Over 100 scholars lived at the Museum full-time to perform research, write, lecture, or translate and copy documents. The library was so large it had another branch or "daughter" library at the Temple of Serapis. Today, the Biblioteca Alexandrina stands near its location as a modern cultural center.
which makes it easier to read), to the open beamed ceilings letting in light, it is a beautiful library.
It also houses some small museums highlighting Egyptian culture. We did not visit the ancientEgyptian museum, as we had already toured so many of those sites.
Graeco-Roman Museum
The city of Alexandria was founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC as he made his way to consult the oracle at Siwa Oasis as to whether he was genuinely the son of Amun. Alexandria became the capital of Ptolemaic Egypt and grew to become one of the most prosperous and culturally significant cities of the Hellenistic age.
The Alexandria Graeco-Roman Museum was inaugurated in 1895 to showcase objects from the Ptolemaic and Roman periods, both from Alexandria and from elsewhere in Egypt. It is housed in an attractive neoclassical building whose front declares it to be a ΜΟΥΣΕΙΟΝ, ‘place of the Muses’. This recalls the memory of the mouseion that stood nearby in ancient times as the gathering place of seekers of knowledge who hoped to be inspired by the Muses.
From 2005 to 2023, the building was closed and underwent a major renovation. Now it is open to the public again and is a major attraction for visitors to Alexandria. There are two floors of galleries: the ground floor displays a stunning collection of both Ptolemaic- and Roman-era objects, while the upper floor covers the Nile, the economy (including a major coin collection), and the arts.
You can see the Roman influence on the statuary, the tombs, the mosaics, and the hieroglyphics carved into stone, very distinct compared to Ancient Egypt.
Qaitbay Citadel
The Citadel of Qaitbay stands on the original site of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and incorporates stones from the ruined lighthouse after earthquakes led to its collapse.
The Qaitbay Citadel in Alexandria is considered one of the most important defensive strongholds, not only in Egypt, but also along the Mediterranean Sea coast. It formulated an important part of the fortification system of Alexandria in the 15th century AD.
Comments
Post a Comment