The Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa are situated very deep beneath the surface in the northern coastal city of Alexandria.
They are probably the most representative site of the culture, civilisation and history of Alexandria, a city that was founded by Alexander the Great in the fourth century BC.
Believed to have been built in the second century AD, the structure of the catacombs, the way their niches are ordered and the decorations on their walls, demonstrate a blend of influences from the ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman civilisations.
However, this can only be noticed by those who have knowledge of these civilisations and are aware of the architectural peculiarities of each of them.
This mixture of cultures, civilisations and architectural norms is probably why this catacomb is one of the most important sites in the whole of Egypt.
The catacombs got their name from the piles of broken pottery found above the site when it was discovered more than 100 years ago. Kom el-Shoqafa means “pile of shards.”
The discovery of the site was comic and bizarre. Tradition has it that a donkey, hauling a cart loaded with stones, made a misstep and disappeared into a hole in the ground. That hole turned out to be the entrance to the catacombs, which was one of the most astounding discoveries in archaeological history: A set of rock-cut tombs with features unlike that of any other catacomb in the ancient world.
It was unbelievable to everybody at the time that what would have taken months of excavation would be discovered that easily by a simple and uneducated cart driver.
After inspection, specialists confirmed that what the cart driver had found was a site of matchless value.
The catacombs are believed to have been part of a larger necropolis in the western part of Alexandria.
A round shaft, 6 metres wide, descends into the underground site. Around the outside of the shaft, but separated by a wall, is a spiral staircase with windows into the shaft that allows light from the surface to illuminate the stairs.
Seats were carved into the stones at the junction of the uppermost underground level and the stairs of the catacombs.
Near the seats is the hall of the catacomb and another shaft that leads to the lower levels of the site.
The main part of the tomb is on the middle level, which resembles a Greek temple. This part leads down to the porch of the temple, which is between two columns. The temple is an intricate combination of paths, each of which leads to a burial niche. Additional niches are in the lowest level of the tomb.
The beauty of the catacombs is most manifest in the middle level where unique sculpture and art are displayed marvellously.
There are statues of a man and a woman sculpted beautifully after ancient Egyptian models. However, the head of the man is carved in a Greek fashion and the woman’s in a Roman fashion.
Many of the sarcophagi in the tomb were prepared for the placement of mummies in an ancient Egyptian manner. However, many niches contain the remains of those who were cremated in the Greek and Roman styles.
The catacombs are only a short ride from the centre of Alexandria.
The city is full of places that are worth visiting. Known as the ‘Bride of the Mediterranean, Alexandria has very nice beaches, restaurants and hotels. There is also a host of ancient palaces in it.
Built by Alexander the Great in 332BC, the coastal city was once the capital of Egypt.
In 31BC, Romans conquered it and put an end to Greek rule. Successive dynasties turned Alexandria into a melting pot of cultures and civilisations. This is apparent in the buildings, the streets and names of the shops.
Alexandria has hotels for all sorts of budgets. A single room in one of the hotels of the city can sell for between $50 and $100.
The city can also be reached from Cairo via multiple means of transport, including by train. Most private transport companies also run buses to the city all week-round.
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