The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

(Image credit: Bibliotheca Alexandrina)

The Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Alexandria is a distinguished cultural hub that harbours interaction between people and civilisation. Not only does it hold books, but it also encompasses four important museums that you must visit.

Sadat Museum

Dedicated to the late President Mohamed Anwar El Sadat, the museum is the first of its kind in Alexandria. It holds a collection of the late president’s possessions, such as his radio set, desk, and library that has rare books. Twelve hours of video content are available for viewing, included shots of his speeches, reports, along with the film Action Biography.

President Sadat’s military uniform that he was wearing during his assassination on the 6^th of October, 1981, is also on show, among several of his military and civilian outfits. You can also see a display of the documents involved in the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty, a collection of recordings, a number of Arabian swords and memorial shields, his famous pipe, his cane, and the cloak he wore while visiting his birthplace in northern Egypt.

 

Manuscripts Museum

The Manuscripts Museum (MsM) contains rare manuscripts and books that are considered the largest number of digital documents available for researchers. The MsM serves educational, cultural and academic purposes to preserve heritage and develop the fields of conservation and restoration of manuscripts. It aims to create a generation of restorers, who benefit their institutions through training courses and workshops.

Antiquities Museum

The Antiquities Museum holds several pieces belonging to the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine eras, which were discovered during excavation at the construction site of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. This makes it one of the few museums in the world that displays artefacts found at the same location of the museum.

The museum holds 1,133 pieces that include artefacts found on site (1993-1995), along with antiquities from the Mediterranean near East Harbor and Abukir Bay. The collections were selected to reflect Egypt’s rich history that ranges from Pharaonic and Greco-Roman to Coptic and Islamic heritage.

 

History of Science Museum

The History of Science Museum holds an exhibition that highlights historical elements of science throughout three periods; ancient Egypt, Hellenistic Alexandria, and the Arab-Muslim World. The museum offers a variety of activities that caters to adults and children. It aims to revive scientific discoveries and celebrate the achievements of ancient scholars, along with the translators who brought such significant writings to light.

To book a tour or inquire about visits, call 4839999 then dial 1573 or 1574, or email visits@bibalex.org.