I am on a work trip to Alexandria for a few days. It is one of the cities that played a significant role in the advancement of sailing in the Mediterranean and the world during its time.
The Alexandria coast, stretching over 40 kilometres!
The Pharos!
Alexandria had the largest lighthouse in the world. It was the tallest monument on Earth until the Eiffel Tower was built. Built around 332 BC on the island of Pharos, it remained the world's largest construction for 1,500 years until two earthquakes caused its collapse in the 14th century. The lighthouse was one of the wonders of the ancient world.
Fictional representation of the Pharos lighthouse.
A representation of the Pharos lighthouse in the National Library
On the exact location of the Pharos was built the citadel of Qaitbay
The fortress of Qaitbay constructed on the exact location site of the Alexandria lighthouse
This seems to be the location of the historical harbour of Alexandria. Any sailor will notice that there is only one sailing boat on this mooring site.
The harbour of Alexandria. Note, only on sailing boat on mooring!
The Alexandria Library
Ptolemy constructed the Alexandria library in 290 BC to host 400,000 papyrus rolls, the sum of the knowledge at the time.
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The façade of the Alexandria Library
The Bibliotheca Alexandrina was built in 2002 on the site of the original library. It is worth a visit!
Alexandria, the city
Alexandria in the French culture
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