In Pics: 2 museums, 3 ancient sites to reopen in Alexandria

CAIRO – 28 June 2020: Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Khaled el-Anani and Governor of Alexandria Mohammed Hafez visited the Citadel of Qaitbay and the Royal Jewelry Museum, to check the health safety regulations adopted by the Board of Directors of the Supreme Council of Antiquities necessary to reopen the aforementioned sites for visits.

This came as part of the minister's tour in Alexandria to follow up on the project to develop the Montazah Tourist Area and inspect some of the hotel establishments that have received a health safety certificate to reopen.

During the tour, Anani indicated that the Alexandria National Museum was also reopened, in addition to the Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa and the Serapeum and Pompey's Pillar. This came within the framework of the ministry’s plan to gradually re-open a number of museums and archaeological sites.

Citadel of Qaitbay is considered as one of the most important citadels on the coast of the Mediterranean.

Moreover, Citadel of Qaitbay was established by the Mamluk Sultan Al-Ashraf Abu Al-Nasr Qaitbay between the years (882-884 AH / 1477-1479 AD), on the ruins of the ancient lighthouse of Alexandria, which was completely destroyed in the year (702 AH / 1303 AD) during the reign of Sultan Al-Nasir Muhammad bin Qalawun. Its purpose was to protect the Egyptian coast from external dangers.

The citadel included a mosque, an oven, a windmill, armories, and a seat overlooking the sea to see boats entering the eastern port. This is in addition to an outer fence and inner fence. The citadel spans over around 17750 squared meters.

Furthermore, the Royal Jewelry Museum in Alexandria is considered one of the most beautiful museums, as it is located in the Palace of Princess Fatima Zahra and is considered a rare architectural piece representing the European style in the 19th century.

The museum houses 11,500 rare pieces belonging to the off-springs of the Alevi family, including the Prince Mohammad Ali Tawfiq collection, which includes 12 cup envelopes of platinum and gold, and has 2,753 lobes of diamonds, and other precious stones, in addition to a golden money bag inlaid with diamonds, and the pocket watch of the Ottoman Sultans and six cups of gold inlaid with 977 lobes of diamonds.