Description
Drive from Cairo to explore the highlights of the beautiful city of Alexandria. Explore the Catacombs of Kom El Shaqafa, the citadel of Qaitbay, the Pompey’s Pillar, and the Library of Alexandria.
Tour description:
Your guide will meet you at the reception of your hotel to start your three-hour journey to Alexandria.
Alexandria is the second-largest city of Egypt with a population of more than 15 million people. It was the capital of Egypt during the Graeco-Roman period and the center of the Hellenistic civilization for about 500 years.
Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa:
Archeologists believe that the Catacomb of Kom el Shoqafa was started in the 2nd century A.D. and was used to intern the dead for the next 200 years. This was a period in the history of the city of Alexandria when there was a great mixture of different cultures. Of course, there was the ancient history of the great Egyptian kingdoms which went back thousands of years. Also in 332 B.C. Alexander the Great had conquered the land, established the city of Alexandria and started a dynasty of Greek rulers who brought their own culture to the metropolis. Finally, in 31 B.C. the Romans took control of the city and added their traditions.
The citadel of Qaitbay:
The citadel of Qaitbay was built in 1477 AD by Sultan Al-Ashraf Seif El-Din Qaitbay.
The citadel was built on the site of the famous Lighthouse of Alexandria, which was one of the seven wonders of the Ancient world.
Sultan Qaitbay was born in 1423 AD. He was a Mamluke bought by Al-Ashraf Bersbay. Then Sultan Djamqaq bought him and give him freedom. Qaitbay occupied various posts. He was the chief of the army during the rule of Sultan Tamar Bougha. When Sultan was dethroned, Qaitbay was appointed as a Sultan in 1468 AD and ruled for about 29 years.
Qaitbay was fond of art and architecture. The construction of this citadel started in 882 AH.
Pompey’s pillar:
Pompey’s pillar is a Roman column in Alexandria and the largest of its type constructed outside of the imperial capitals of Rome and Constantinople. The column was made of Aswan granite. It is about 27 m high.
The column was built in 297 AD, commemorating the victory of the Roman Emperor Diocletian over an Alexandrian revolt. It is wrongly dated to Pompey.
The Library of Alexandria:
It is one of the largest libraries in the world. It is located on the shore of the Mediterranean sea. It is both a commemoration of the library of Alexandria that was lost in antiquity and an attempt to rekindle something of the brilliance that this earlier center of study represented.
The library was officially inaugurated in 2002. It contains books in Arabic, English, and French.
In 2010, the library received a donation of 500,000 books from the National Library of France.
The library as well has a very important Internet Archive Partnership to preserve heritage for future generations and to provide universal access to human knowledge.
The library provides access to print-on-demand books via Espresso Book Machine.
Price is per person, min (2 people).
Tour includes:
- Hotel pick up and drop off.
- All transfers in air-conditioned tourist coach.
- Licensed tour guide.
- Entrance fees for the included sites.
- Lunch at a local restaurant.
Tour excludes:
- Tips for guide and driver.
- Drinks and personal expenses.
Notes:
- Children from 1-5 years are free of charge.
- Children between 6-11 years get 50% off.
- All prices are in US Dollars, but Egyptian Pound, English Pound & Euros are accepted.
