Alexandria

Alexandria has a rich and diverse history that spans many thousands of years. The city was founded in 332 BC by Alexander the Great, and it quickly became an important center of learning and culture. However, with the decline of the Ptolemies, its power was weakened. Thus, during the second and first century BC, with the rise of the Roman Empire, it fell under its rule. This is also due to one of the most intriguing love stories of all time! Cleopatra was the last ruler, and it was in this city that she courted Julius Caesar. With the birth of their son, she wanted to bring the old glory of the Ptolemaic dynasty, but things went south. Of course, she was in love with Marc Antony and had a role in Caesar’s assassination. But becoming his wife didn’t bring anything good for Alexandria’s future and Egypt’s power. She stood faithful by Marc Anthony’s side against Octavian (Caesar’s great-nephew). Thus, in the 30th year BC, Octavian, who became emperor Augustus, formally brought Alexandria to its knees.

During the Greco-Roman period, Alexandria was renowned for its library, which was the largest in the ancient world. It was said to have contained hundreds of thousands of scrolls and was considered to be the focal point of knowledge and scholarship.

In the Islamic period, Alexandria continued to thrive when it came to trade and learning. The city was conquered by the Arab Muslims in the 7th century, and it became an important center of Islamic culture and scholarship. The famous philosopher and theologian Ibn Rushd (known as Averroes in the West) lived and worked in Alexandria during this period.

Later, during the modern period, Egypt underwent significant changes as it became part of the Ottoman Empire and, later, a British protectorate. The Ottomans reduced Alexandria’s power to a small port. Only one Ottoman Pasha saw potential, and that was Muhammad Ali. He was ambitious, so he seized the opportunity to expand his power. The Pasha built the Al-Maḥmūdiyyah Canal, which was 72 km long, and reopened Alexandria’s access to the Nile – all with the purpose of building his fleet. Later, the city played an important role in the struggle for Egyptian independence, with many key figures in the movement hailing from Alexandria. 

Today, Alexandria remains a vibrant and dynamic city with a rich cultural heritage that you can notice reflected in its architecture, museums, and monuments. We encourage you to explore the city’s ancient history at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a modern library that houses thousands of books and manuscripts, and at the Alexandria National Museum, showcasing artifacts from Alexandria’s Greco-Roman period. You can also visit the stunning Qaitbay Citadel, which was built in the 15th century and served as a defensive fortification against invaders.