Greco Roman Alexandria

by coach & on foot

Lying northwest of the Nile Delta, Alexandria is the largest port in the Arab Republic of Egypt, and one of the major summer resorts on the Mediterranean Sea.

Departing from the pier, you will begin with a city drive through the colourful, busy streets of Alexandria viewing sometimes tired, but beautiful architecture and experiencing the charming aura and nostalgia of yesteryear. You will pass the bronze equestrian statue of Muhammad Ali, widely considered as the founder of modern Egypt. You will also pass the elegant marble edifice dedicated to the Unknown Soldier.

Your first stop will be at the site of Pompey’s Pillar, a Roman triumphal column, one of the largest monolithic columns ever erected. Including its base, Pompey’s Pillar stands over 25m (82ft) tall and is estimated to weigh 285 tonnes. Today, the pillar stands amidst the sparse ruins of the Temple of Serapeum, a once magnificent structure that stood here in ancient times.

Your journey then continues to the Roman Amphitheatre for a visit. The site was unearthed by accident in 1960 when construction workers were clearing the site to construct a new building. The find is of particular importance as it is the only Roman Amphitheatre to have been discovered in Egypt.

Your next stop will be a visit to the Greco Roman Museum, dedicated to the antiquities and civilization of Egypt during the Greek and Roman eras, from the 3rd century BCE to the 3rd century CE. The building itself is an architectural gem, combining elements of both Egyptian and Greek styles. The museum’s collection includes sculptures, mosaics, pottery, jewellery and more providing insights into the daily life, religious practices and artistic achievements of the Greco-Roman period.

Your final stop will be a photo opportunity outside the impressive Bibliotheca which opened in 2002. The building takes the form of a gigantic, angled discus embedded in the ground. The exterior walls are carved with letters, pictograms, hieroglyphs and symbols from more than 120 different human scripts.