Amazing Catacombs, Forts and Museums
Alexandria, Egypt
Today Alexandria stretches along the Mediterranean coast for several kilometres just as it did at the height of its influence during Cleopatra’s reign back in the 47BC. An important harbour for millennia at the height of its power its influence was matched only by Rome.
Background
Named for Alexander the Great little remains of the period in which the city was founded; it was during the ensuing Ptolemaic era that the city made its fortunes before declining in the wake of civil war and famine in the 4th century. By medieval times Alexandria had foundered and it was only with the coming of Napoleon that its fortunes revived. Subsequently with great investment and engineering works the city went from a small town on the site of today’s Anfushi to rise phoenix-like to become, once again, one of the world’s greatest seaports. Today the city is known for its literary associations with both Western and Egyptian authors having based themselves here.