The Bibliotheca Alexandrina is a modern revival of the ancient Library of Alexandria, one of the most famous cultural and intellectual centres of the ancient world. The original library, founded during the reigns of the early Ptolemies around the 3rd century BC, was renowned as a hub for scholars, artists, and scientists. It housed hundreds of thousands of scrolls and texts across various fields, amassing knowledge from different civilisations. Unfortunately, the ancient library was destroyed over several centuries, likely due to fires and invasions, finally vanishing by the late 3rd century AD.
The new Bibliotheca Alexandrina was conceived as a tribute to that legacy and was established on the same site in الإسكندرية, Egypt. Its construction began in the late 20th century, with international collaboration and an architectural competition won by the Norwegian firm Snøhetta. Opened officially in 2002, this contemporary complex spans a vast area and serves as both a library and a cultural centre designed to promote knowledge, learning, and intercultural dialogue across the Mediterranean and beyond.
Today, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina houses over a million books in multiple languages and offers specialised libraries including a Children’s Library and a Library for the Blind, reflecting its commitment to inclusivity. Beyond books, the complex hosts several museums and exhibitions such as the Manuscripts Museum, which showcases rare and ancient texts, and an Archaeological Museum displaying artefacts from الإسكندرية’s rich history. Cultural offerings also include fourteen permanent art exhibitions spanning various media from painting to calligraphy, enhancing the visitor experience with a deep exploration of visual arts.
Additionally, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina functions as a vibrant centre for conferences, scientific research, and education. It features innovative technological installations such as the Culturama, an interactive multimedia panorama presenting Egypt’s heritage, and the VISTA virtual reality system supporting scientific visualisation and research. This makes the Bibliotheca not only a repository of knowledge but also a dynamic institution connecting past legacies with modern scholarship and global cultural exchange.
Bibliotheca Alexandrina
الإسكندرية
Egypt
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