Please arrive at the designated location 10 minute(s) before the scheduled departure time, as the tour will depart on time
Pompey's Pillar commemorates a Roman victory and once stood within the Serapeum, a grand temple dedicated to Serapis. The Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa are significant for their unique blend of ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman funerary art and architecture, offering insight into Alexandria's multicultural past and burial customs.
The Roman theater of Kom El-Deka, with its well-preserved tiers and mosaics, showcases Alexandria's Roman-era public life and entertainment. Pompey's Pillar, a towering granite column, serves as a prominent landmark from the Roman period, indicating the site of the ancient Serapeum and the city's imperial connections. Both offer tangible links to the city's classical past.
The Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa are located in the Kom El Shoqafa district in western Alexandria. The Roman theater of Kom El-Deka is found near the city center, while Pompey's Pillar stands atop a hill in the Karmouz district. These sites are integrated within modern Alexandria, allowing visitors to explore its layers of history.
At the Roman theater of Kom El-Deka, visitors can marvel at the impressive marble seating tiers of the ancient amphitheater, which once hosted performances and assemblies. You can also explore the remnants of Roman baths and a residential villa with exquisite mosaic floors, providing a glimpse into daily life in Roman Alexandria.
The Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa are unique as the largest known Roman burial site in Egypt, featuring three subterranean levels. Its distinctive architecture and artwork intricately blend ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman funerary styles, illustrating the rich multicultural identity of Alexandria during the Roman era.
Pompey's Pillar represents the Roman period in Alexandria, specifically erected around 297 AD to honor Emperor Diocletian. Around its base, visitors can observe remnants of the ancient Serapeum, including underground galleries, statues, and various artifacts that once belonged to the grand temple complex.
The Citadel of Qaitbay is a 15th-century defensive fortress built by Sultan Al-Ashraf Sayf al-Din Qa'it Bay. It stands proudly on the exact site of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Its primary function was to protect Alexandria from naval attacks and invaders, serving as a vital military stronghold.
Many historical sites in Alexandria, including the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa and its Roman triclinium, showcase a fascinating fusion of architectural styles. Visitors can observe distinct Greco-Roman designs alongside traditional Pharaonic Egyptian motifs, reflecting Alexandria's long history as a melting pot of cultures.