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220 Kilometers of the Western desert from Cairo is the city of Alexandria. The second largest city in Egypt, known as "The Pearl of the Mediterranean", has an atmosphere that is more Mediterranean than Middle Eastern; its ambience and cultural heritage distance it from the rest of the country. Alexander the Great had founded Alexandria in 332 B.C. While Alexander's forces fought against the Persians all the way down the Nile to Memphis, he returned to the Delta to construct his capital. He paid particular attention to the designing of the city for he saw Alexandria becoming the center of his empire after completing his conquest of Egypt. The setting for the stormy relationship between Cleopatra and Mark Anthony, Alexandria was also the center of learning in the ancient world. But ancient Alexandria declined, and when Napoleon landed, he found a sparsely populated fishing village. It was during the Ptolemaic rule that the city prospered and grew. A vast city of intellectuals, artists, and scholars, Alexandria was famous for its huge library (containing over 500,000 volumes) and research institute (the Mouseion), both of which drew and produced some very important thinkers. The Ptolemy’s even commissioned the construction of the Pharos of Alexandria, one of the world's first lighthouses. Reaching a height of 400 feet, the Pharos was so impressive it was considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Alexandria eventually became part of the Roman Empire before falling into Muslim hands in the 7th century when they decided to build a new capital named Cairo. As a result of this move, Alexandria quickly became neglected and fell into disrepair. Alexandria's rich and glorious past. And today is a popular summer resort with the locals, and an escape from the hustle and bustle in Cairo during the winter months. There are beautiful gardens at the Montazah Palace has huge textile and tourist industries, and remains Egypt's largest port. The Greco-Roman Museum started with eleven galleries, and has been gradually enlarged in later renovation stages to be 25 galleries, which contains a very big variety of coins from different countries dating back from 630 BC to the Ottoman period in the 19th century. In Alexandria, Greco-Roman and Paranoiac religions mingled in the cult of Serapis; the shift from pagan religions to Christianity can also be seen in the exhibits which include mummies, Hellenistic statues, busts of Roman emperors, Tangara figurines, and early Christian antiquities. Roman amphitheater had been a place more for public meetings than for performances. Recently more ruins of Roman baths had been found complete with the gymnasium and ancient Roman bathing facilities. Pompey's Pillar was built in 297 AD for the Roman Emperor Diocletian not Pompey. The Pillar itself is whopping 9 meters in circumference. |
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EXCRETIONS FROM ALEXANDRIA |
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Having conquered Egypt in 332 BC Alexander the Great, ordered that a city be constructed before setting off for Asia in search of further conquests. Thus, was born Alexandria, but Alexander never lived to see his city known for it's beautiful beaches, turquoise blue waters and warm Mediterranean breeze. The museum of Graeco-Roman antiquities tell us of the glorious past of the city. The ancient library of Alexandria, in the place of which today stands the Bibliotheca Alexandrina hosted many a scholar including Aristotle. It was on a mid summer day in Alexandria that the famous Greek philosopher Erastothenus measured the circumference of the earth in 276 BC. Wander among the ancient ruins of a city that was once the setting for the legendary romance between Cleopatra and Marc Anthony, past Cleopatra's bath to the last remaining amphitheatre in Egypt, where plays used to be staged. The rock hewn tombs of Kom El Shogafa, carved into 100 ft. of solid rock represent an interesting blend of Pharaonic and Greco-Roman art. Climb up the Quaitbay fort for a spectacular view of the Mediterranean Sea. The fort is built on the site where the ancient Lighthouse of the Pharos (yet another of 'the seven wonders of the ancient world') had stood. Today, Alexandria is a popular, summer resort with the locals and an escape from the hustle and bustle of Cairo. While away an afternoon at the beautiful gardens of Montazah Palace, which used to be the summer resort of the Egyptian royal family. Or dine on a seafood lunch at any of the popular fish restaurants.
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- City Tour in Alexandria
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