Tag: Catacombs of Kom el-Shuqqafa

Stretching along Egypt’s Mediterranean coast, Alexandria offers a distinctly different flavor compared to the Pharaonic wonders of the Nile Valley. Founded by Alexander the Great around 331 BC, this legendary city quickly rose to become the intellectual and cultural capital of the ancient world, a cosmopolitan hub where Greek, Egyptian, and Roman influences converged. Its name evokes powerful images: the colossal Lighthouse (Pharos), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World; the legendary Great Library, a repository of unparalleled knowledge; and the dramatic reign of its last Ptolemaic ruler, Cleopatra VII. Though much of its ancient grandeur lies buried or submerged, modern Alexandria retains a captivating atmosphere, blending its rich history with a vibrant Mediterranean energy.