| The Northern Coast
is dominated by Alexandria, conquered and designed
by Alexander the Great. More Mediterranean than
Arabic, it was always considered affluent and liberal, and attracts
wealthy Cairenes as a summer retreat. Egypt’s second city
is less chaotic than Cairo, and famed for its
numerous Hellenistic and Roman relics from the age when it was
the cultural capital of Europe.
The newly constructed Bibliotheka Alexandria,
costing over US$300m, is the greatest library in the ancient world
and a major research centre for many scholars. Relics from the
3rd century BC are exhibited in the Graeco-Roman Museum,
and there is a recently excavated Roman Amphitheatre.
Fort Qait Bey is a 15th century fort built on
the foundations of the Pharos Lighthouse, 1 of
the Seven Wonders of the World. The modern Mosque
of Abu al-Abbas Mursi overshadows the main square on Sharia Tatwig,
whilst further places of interest include the Museum of
Fine Arts, and Montazah Palace. Montazah
Palace offers beautiful gardens and is regularly the summer host
for theatre performances.
Diving and swimming are very popular, however beaches can get
overcrowded during the summer. Beaches further out of the city
include Hannovile and Agami,
which are not so busy and cleaner. For a more Westernised and
liberal approach, Ma’amoura beach is also
popular.
Beyond Alexandria
The ancient city of Rosetta is 65 kilometres
(39 miles) away from Alexandria, and is renowned for being where
the Rosetta Stone was discovered ( housed now
in the British Museum) and has a striking Ottoman, ‘Delta
Style’ architecture.
El Alamein is a simple and interesting day trip, located 100 kilometres
(60 miles) west of Alexandria. There is a cemetery, war museum
and memorial in remembrance to the soldiers who died during the
battle of the decisive allied victory that determined the fate
of Britain and Egypt's Empire.
Further west is the coastal resort of Mersa Matrouh,
which has a nice beach, although it can be overcrowded during
the summer.
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