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Kom esh-Shugafa Roman, 1st/2nd century A.D.

On the slopes of a hill not far from the ruins of the Sarapeion lies the entrance to the catacombs of Kom esh-Shugafa (Arabic: the hill of fragments), which is the largest and most important burial site of Roman times in Egypt. It is decorated in the mixed Egyptian-Roman style and was discovered in 1900. It consists of three storeys hewn out of the rock, one below the next (the lowest level is in danger of being flooded with ground water). Probably it was once owned by a non Christian cult community who claimed responsibility for constructing the central section in the 1st century A.D.

View of the Vestibule
A spiral staircase leads from the entrance down into the depths. After reaching the first lower storey with its central rotunda, the visitor finds the triclinium on his left. This is a large room with wide couches where the burial ceremonies were held. Another stairway in the axis leads to the burial chapel with a small vestibule. The façade has a flat, rounded gable supported by two columns decorated with plants. The rear passage to the chapel is flanked by two great snakes, each bearing above its head a round shield with the head of Medusa. Both snakes represent the mysterious Agathos Daimon, the patron saint of Alexandria, assimilated with Serapis.

Relief in the burial chapel (right niche)
The burial chapel, which is now in danger of being flooded with ground water, has three large niches that contain false sarcophagi. The chests and lids were hewn in sandstone and decorated with elements like garlands, masks and bulls’ heads. Sarcophagi of this type, freely worked in hard stone, can be seen in the foreground of the catacombs. All the rear walls of the niches bear high reliefs showing religious scenes on themes derived from the pure old Egyptian tradition. The depiction in the right niche, for example, shows the Roman emperor wearing the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt and presenting a great necklace to the cult statue of the god Apis, who appears in the form of a bull. The god was native to Memphis and here he stands on a high plinth, wearing a pectoral and with the disc of the sun between his horns. A small sacrificial stand is placed between the ruler and Apis, and on the extreme left the goddess Isis is approaching with great outspread wings. This is a classical temple scene but here, in a private burial chamber, it is largely robbed of its cult significance, appearing only as an image of the general hope for a life after death.

 
Fort Qait Bey

On the northern tip of the former island of Pharos, on the spot where the famous lighthouse once stood, stands the mighty fortress of Sultan Qait Bey.

Pompey’s Column

The desolate state of this hill of ruins with the huge column of Pompey gives little indication that the famous Sarapeion once stood here.

The Theater at Kom el-Dik

Many of the ancient buildings in Alexandria have not survived or lie beyond reach under the modern city.
 
The Graeco-Roman Museum

The museum building to house antiquities of the Graeco-Roman period in Egypt was started in 1891 and it has been extended several times.
 
Kom esh-Shugafa

On the slopes of a hill not far from the ruins of the Sarapeion lies the entrance to the catacombs of Kom esh-Shugafa (Arabic: the hill of fragments),
 
Behbeit el Hagar

South west of provincial capital Al Mansura (in the northern delta) lays Behbeit el Hagar. It holds the impressive remains of a Shrine to the goddess Isis,
 
TheTemple of Isis

The Shrine to Isis may well have been erected to replace an older site dating from the saitic period (Twenty- sixth Dynasty).
 
 
Discover Alexandria

Since Alexandria was founded in 332/31 B.C. by Alexander the Great “the pearl of the Mediterranean” has been...
Alexandria Attractions 

Alexandria attractions and sightseeing attractions in Cairo. Book Cairo attraction tours with Select Egypt
Alexandria Holidays

special discount holiday packages offers for Alexandria travel. We give you tailor made holiday deals for Alexandria travel
Alexandria Tours & Excursions

Sightseeing, Tours, Attractions and things to do in Alexandria and in Cairo from Alexandria,,
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Alexandria Hotels

You can now book your room in Alexandria hotels, Alexandria Hotel, Alexandria Hotels, Hotels of Alexandria,
Alexandria Map

Alexandria, with a population of 4.1 million, is the second-largest city in Egypt,
and is the country's largest seaport, serving about 80% of Egypt's imports and exports
Alexandria Monuments

The best monuments of Alexandria. Information about Alexandria monuments, landmarks, historic buildings and museums in Alexandria.
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