AlMontazah Palace (Rear View)

Hussein Gamal (HG)

Alexandria, Egypt is known as the Pearl of the Mediterranean because it represents everything Egyptians have loved and cherished, both presently and historically. The second largest city in Egypt after Cairo, Alexandria was originally established in 331 BC by Alexander the Great, and is well known for being the home of the revered pharaoh Cleopatra. There are still many remnants left of Alexandria's previous inhabitants, and when visiting, tourists will definitely want to explore all of the ancient Alexandria Sights.

Museums

• The Alexandria National Museum at Raml Station is a museum of history containing approximately 2,000 archaeological artifacts and exhibits. The entire basement of the museum holds only pharaonic and prehistoric artifacts, the first floor is dedicated to the Graco-Roman era, and the second floor contains Coptic and Islamic Era pieces that have been found in the most recent underwater digs and excavations.

• The Museum of Fine Arts at Moharram Bey mainly showcases jewels collected from former Egyptian royalty.

Religious Sights

• The Tegran Necropolis is a well preserved tomb dating back to the 2nd century B.C. It's decorated with ancient Egyptian paintings much like those of the Pharaohs. However, this particular tomb was built solely for rich men of Roman times.

• The St. Marcos Church was the creation of St. Mark the Evangelist who initially introduced Christianity to the Egyptians. The original church's ruins lie beneath the current church, which has an immense hall leading to the 11th century archbishop’s cemetery.

• The Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral at Mahatet El Raml was established in A.D. 60 and held the Pope of Alexandria's historical seat until it was moved in 1971. The Evangelist Saint Mark was buried at this cathedral until A.D. 828, when his remains were taken back to Venice by the Venetians.

Historical Sights

• Pompey's Pillar at Karmouz is an ancient, eighty foot high column of granite that was made in 297 AD. Areas where ancient monuments stand like this one are sectioned off and confined for viewing only, so no damage comes to them.

• The Roman Theatre in Kom El-Dikka was constructed in the second century AD. The Roman style amphitheater is made of white and gray marble semicircular tiers and can seat approximately 800 people.

• The Citadel of Qait Bey is one of the city's most beautiful locations. Built in 1477 AD in the same location where the Pharos Lighthouse once stood, this historical fortress looks out over the city of Alexandria and the aqua-blue Mediterranean Sea.