Author: Stefan

The Qaitbay Citadel, perched on the northeastern tip of الإسكندرية’s Pharos Island, is a remarkable fortification that commands the Mediterranean coast. Built between 1477 and 1479 by Sultan Al-Ashraf Sayf al-Din Qaitbay, a Circassian Mamluk ruler, the citadel was erected as a critical defensive structure against naval threats, particularly following the fall of Constantinople in 1453 when Ottoman power surged in the region. It holds a unique place in history, as it rises on the very site where the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria once stood – a legendary wonder of the ancient world that had collapsed due to earthquakes. The citadel symbolised both military strength and the continuity of Egypt’s maritime significance through the centuries.

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The Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, located in الإسكندرية, Egypt, are a remarkable ancient burial site dating back to the 2nd century AD during the Roman period. Discovered accidentally in 1900 when a donkey fell into a shaft, this subterranean complex is carved deep into the bedrock and reflects a fascinating fusion of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman art and funerary traditions. The name ‚Kom el Shoqafa’ means ‚Mound of Shards‘, referring to the pottery fragments found at the site, which were offerings brought by mourners. The catacombs were used for burials until the end of the 4th century AD, after which they were abandoned.

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Pompay’s Pillar in الإسكندرية is an impressive ancient monument that stands as one of the city’s most prominent relics from Roman times. Erected in honour of the Roman Emperor Diocletian in the early 4th century AD, it is a testament to the architectural skill and grandeur of the era. The column was commissioned to celebrate Diocletian’s successful quelling of a revolt in the city, marking a moment of restored order and Roman control. It takes its name not from the famous Roman general Pompay, but from a misinterpretation in later centuries, which has nevertheless stuck in popular usage.

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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.

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The Great Sphinx of Giza, one of Egypt’s defining symbols, is believed to have been built during the reign of Pharaoh Khafre around 2500 BC. Carved directly from the limestone bedrock of the Giza Plateau, it bears the head of a pharaoh and the body of a lion, symbolising royal power and divine protection. Scholars associate the monument with Khafre’s pyramid complex, since the Sphinx faces his pyramid and shares architectural similarities with nearby temples. Some have speculated it could depict an earlier ruler such as Khufu or Djedefre, but no definitive inscriptions have ever confirmed its maker. Its original Egyptian name, Hor-em-Akhet, meant ‚Horus of the Horizon‘, a fitting symbol for its gaze towards the rising sun across the desert sands.

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The ancient city of مَنْف in Egypt holds a remarkable place in history as one of the earliest urban settlements, founded around 3100 BCE. It was established by Menes (or Narmer), who is credited with uniting Upper and Lower Egypt, making مَنْف the first capital of a unified Egyptian kingdom. The city’s original name, often translated as ‚White Walls‘, possibly referred to its royal palace. مَنْف stood as the political and religious heart of Egypt during the Old Kingdom and remained an important centre through several dynasties. Although its status as capital was eventually superseded by Thebes and later الإسكندرية, Memphis still played a significant role in the economic and religious landscape of ancient Egypt for much of its history. It is also the place in which Alexander the Great was crowned as Pharao of Egypt – stepping into the footsteps of Ramses II.

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The Step Pyramid of Djoser, located in the Saqqara necropolis near ancient Memphis, stands as the earliest colossal stone building in Egypt and represents a pivotal moment in architectural history. Constructed during the 27th century BCE, in the Third Dynasty, it was commissioned as the tomb for Pharaoh Djoser. Designed by the renowned architect and ancient polymath Imhotep, this pyramid marks the transition from traditional mastaba tombs to the revolutionary step pyramid design, featuring six distinct tiers that rise about 62 metres high. The structure was originally clad in polished white limestone, intended to stand gleaming under the Egyptian sun, and its base aligned roughly with the four cardinal points.

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The Pyramids of Giza, standing on the edge of the western desert near القاهرة, are the enduring symbols of ancient Egypt’s grandeur. Constructed during the Fourth Dynasty around 2600 to 2500 BC, these monumental tombs were built for Pharaohs Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure, known in Greek as Cheops, Chephren, and Mykerinos. The Great Pyramid of Khufu was the earliest and largest, originally standing at about 146 metres and built from more than two million limestone blocks. Nearby, the smaller pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure followed, forming a remarkable necropolis that reflected not only royal power but also the Egyptians’ refined mastery of architectural engineering and celestial alignment.

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