With its own unique type of magic, Alexandria served as the capital of Egypt for several centuries. Established by Alexander the Great when he took control of Egypt in the 4th century BC, the city became a major cultural, political, and commercial hub afterwards. Today, many tourists who travel to Egypt would visit Alexandria for at least a day-tour or a couple of nights. The highlights of Alexandria are quite several and diverse. A city with a history that extends for more than 2000 years has a lot to offer to tourists who spend their vacations in Egypt. There are, nevertheless, some major sites that are highly recommended. The first is Fort Qaitbey which is one of the landmarks of Alexandria. Constructed in the 15th century by Mamluk Sultan of Egypt at the time, King Qaitbey, the fort was able to defend Alexandria against many attacks in different periods of time. Nowadays, it is finely preserved and its fortified walls, gates, mosque, corridors, and overall layout astonish visitors. The Roman Amphitheatre is another notable historical site of Alexandria. Constructed in 4th century AD, the theatre was discovered by coincidence at the beginning of the 20th century. Being one of a kind in Egypt, the Roman Amphitheatre welcomes hundreds of tourists every day. With its thirteen columns of marble and several matchless architectural elements, it is a site travelers who tour Egypt should never miss. The list of monuments of Alexandria is long! There is the unique Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, the largest and spookiest Roman burial site in Egypt. A great place to visit as well is the Montazah Complex of palaces and gardens. It served as the royal summerhouse of the family of Mohamed Ali. Many locals and tourists visit the Montazah Complex today for leisure. |