welcome to alexandria! alexandria (al iskandariya, in arabic) is the second largest city in egypt. it is located in the mediterranean coast and it is one of the most mythical cities in this country. unfortunately not much remains today of this city's golden ages. most of the ruins are under the current buildings or under the water.

history

the city was founded by alexander the great in 331 bc. a few years later the legendary lighthouse, one of the seven wonders of the world, was constructed. some centuries later the city was governed by cleopatra. in this city took place the stormy relationship between this queen and julius cesar and mark anthony of rome. in the following centuries the city declined and in the 19th century it became a small fishing village. in the 20th century the city recovered part of its lost splendor. at the beginning of the 21st century the city has almost five million inhabitants and it is attracting many tourists thanks to its long history, its nice beaches and the new works under construction. the most important of these works is the new library. the library the city of alexandria is worldwide known for two reasons: the lighthouse and the library. nothing remains today of these wonders of the ancient times, though. in 295 b.c, the egyptian ruler ptolemy i commissioned the construction of the great library of alexandria. in the following years, local scientists traveled through the region, to purchase books for the library. the ancient library had 500,000 scrolls. all human knowledge was stored here. in 48 b.c. the library, and at least 40,000 scrolls, burned when julius caesar attacked the harbor. 2,000 years later, after 10 years of planning, a new library stands in corniche, near silsila. at least 4 million titles and several multimedia resources will be stored here. the new bibliotheca alexandrina also aims to attract international scholars. in the photos you can see the $200 million new bibliotheca alexandrina.

the library

the city of alexandria is worldwide known for two reasons: the lighthouse and the library. nothing remains today of these wonders of the ancient times, though. in 295 b.c, the egyptian ruler ptolemy i commissioned the construction of the great library of alexandria. in the following years, local scientists traveled through the region, to purchase books for the library. the ancient library had 500,000 scrolls. all human knowledge was stored here.

in 48 b.c. the library, and at least 40,000 scrolls, burned when julius caesar attacked the harbor. 2,000 years later, after 10 years of planning, a new library stands in corniche, near silsila. at least 4 million titles and several multimedia resources will be stored here. the new bibliotheca alexandrina also aims to attract international scholars. in the photos you can see the $200 million new bibliotheca alexandrina.

qait bay

currently the fort of qaitbay houses the naval museum, but most of its visitors come here to see what remains of the famous pharos of alexandria. actually only a few stones remain today. the stones were preserved because the ruins from the old lighthouse were used to construct the current fort in 1480. at least, this is what the local legend says. the ancient lighthouse of alexandria was the only one of the seven wonders of the world that had a practical use. this lighthouse was worldwide famous for being the highest building on earth and for its mirror, which reflection could be seen more than 50 km (35 miles) away. during the day sailors could easily find the way back home thanks to the reflected sunrays. at night a machinery raised fuel to the top, where a fire showed the way to alexandria.

siaurineje ilankos dalyje isikurusi tvirtove fortas qait bay yra pagrindine miesto izymybe. ?V amziuje sultonas asrafas pastate tvirtove forta su apvaliais bokstais ir ambrazuromis i jura, vietoje faro salos svyturio vieno is septyniu pasaulio stebuklu. nuo tvirtoves sienu atsiveria puikus vaizdai į vidurzemio jura ir aleksandrija “vidurzemio juros perla”.

the catacombs of kom al-shoqafa

this is the largest roman cemetery. it is of three levels and cut in the rock to a depth of 100 feet. dating to the beginning of the 2nd century a.d. it is a blend of pharaonic and roman art.

kom-al-shoqafa katakombos (I ir II a.)– paskutinioji didele konstrukcija senosios egipto religijos garbei. vien del ju verta keliauti į aleksandrija. nors laidojimo motyvai egiptietiski, katakombų architektai ir dailininkai sujungė juos su romenu ir graiku stiliumi, todel tai nepaprastas integruotas, pasaulyje analogu neturintis meno kūrinys. spirale besisukantys laiptai veda gilyn i rusi, pakeliui atverdami mazu koplyteliu su pristatytais suoliukais lankytojams bei aukotojams vaizda. cia taip pat iskaltos nisos sarkofagams laikyti. fasado centre virs gyvaciu frizo iskirstas saulės diskas. desineje ir kaireje pusese yra dvi gyvatės, devincios aukstutinio ir zemutinio egipto karunas. laidojimo kambaryje liuto formos karstuose guli mirusieji, priziurimi horo, toto, anubio ir kitu laidotuviu dievybiu, kuriu kiekviena turi egiptietisku, romenisku ir graikisku detaliu. be tradicinių scenu – sventiko, jaguaro drabuziais ir karaliaus, aukojancio aukas ozyriui, cia dar pavaizduotos vynuogių puokstes, meduzu galvos ir graiku bei romenu dekoratyviniu elementu ivairove.

the roman theater kom al dekka

the roman theater was, in ptolemaic times, in the park of pan, a pleasure garden. it was used for musical performances, and sometimes also for wrestling contests. materials for its constructions were brought form all over the world: marble from asia minor, red granite from aswan and white marble from europe. to the north of the theater archeologists are working on the remains of the roman baths and houses. this area is closed to tourists, but you can see part of the arches and walls from here.

romenu teatras (kom al dekka) – gerai issilaikes statinys su galerijomis, mozaikinemis grindimis, marmurinemis kedemis ziurovams, kur tilpdavo iki 800 zmoniu. ptolomeju laikais cia vykdavo koncertai, kartais būdavo rengiami imtyniu konkursai. teatra sudaro trylika balto marmuro, pusrutulio formos aukstu. jo kolonos padarytos is zalio marmuro, ivezto is azijos, ir raudono granito, importuoto is Asuano. uzkulisiai abiejose scenos pusese dekoruoti mozaikine danga. einant nuo teatro zemyn, galima pamatyti masyvias arkas ir akmenines sienas, romenu voniu mura ir ju namu liekanas.

pompeii's pillar

so named in the middle ages, it is a granite pillar, over 25 meters high, and built amidst the ruins of the serapium, in 297 a.d., in honour of emperor diocletian.

...me showing my fresh "tatoo", made just few minutes before the shot :) its my name written in ancient faraonic letters

al-montazah palace

one of the most beautiful spots in alexandria is the al-montazah palace. the complex used to belong to the mohamed ali family. king abbas ii, in 1892, started the construction of the complex, with the small salamlek palace. in the 20th century it was designated as the king's summer residence. king fuad, in 1932, built a larger palace and called it the haramlik. nowadays the palace is a luxury hotel, and only the gardens and the private beach can be visited. these gardens cover and area of 370 feddans and contain trees, palms and flowers. there is also a museum, several natural bays and beaches, as well as complete tourist center, a hotel, restaurants, bungalows and a children's park 4.5 feddans in area.

the main gates to the gardens

...it took me whole day to visit montaza palace and gardens but it was worth it :))