Alexandria, Egypt
Archaeological site in Egypt
Beneath the Kom el-Shoqafa district south of Mina el-Basal lie Alexandria's largest and most richly carved Roman tombs. They were found by chance in 1900 when a donkey fell into the access shaft. Cut into the bedrock in the 2nd century AD, probably as one wealthy family's tomb, they grew to take many burials until the 4th century. The name means mound of shards, after the pottery visitors smashed after bringing offerings to the dead. A spiral staircase winds around the shaft used to lower bodies, down to three underground levels, the lowest now flooded by groundwater. The main tomb shows what makes the place unique: Egyptian, Greek and Roman art merged in one scene, with Anubis dressed in Roman armour, serpents mixing Egyptian and Greek symbols, and statues with Egyptian poses and Roman hairstyles. There is also the banquet hall where relatives gathered to honour the dead. It is counted among the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages and is one of the clearest examples of Alexandria's blended cultures.
Allow an hour. The spiral stair is long and the passages narrow and damp, so it does not suit wheelchairs or anyone uneasy in tight spaces. It stays cool underground even in summer. Pompey's Pillar is close by, so do both in one morning.
Hours and prices change — check before you go. Source: en.wikipedia.org
No reviews yet
Share your experience and help other travellers decide.
