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We started our introduction to Egypt in Alexandria - figured we'd start at the top and work our way down (south). My primary drawing point for Alexandria was the Library.
Our itinerary showed us several aspects of Alexandria: Greco-Roman history (Catacombs, Roman Amphitheatre, circa 200-400AD); medieval history (Citadel); royalty (Royal Jewelry Museum, Montazah Park and Palace); religious aspects (St Marks Coptic Cathedral, Sidi Morsi Abu al-Abbas mosque). We also had an entertaining kayak outing in the Eastern Harbour, within view of the Citadel.
The Library is indeed remarkable, having opened in 2002 at a cost of some $20M. It's near where the ancient Library is thought to have been. It's a circular building with a vast multi-storey reading space. It's a working museum, and has one of the largest collection of French material outside France. The outer wall is carved with examples of writing from around the world.
The Sidi Morsi Abu al-Abbas Mosque has four domes, and a 73-meter minaret. The interior is quite impressive, decorated with intricate Islamic geometric patterns, marble columns, ornate arches, stained glass windows, and carved woodwork. The central prayer hall is huge, but segregated for women and men (as is usual for mosques). Our guide sat us down in the central hall and gave us an introduction to Islam.
The Four Seasons, where we stayed, is A Very Nice Hotel. But it was away from the center of town and in a not very nice neighborhood.
Once our trip was done, it stood out how different Alexandria, on the Mediterranean coast, is different from desert Egypt along the Nile.
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