Serapeum of Alexandria

Welcome to the Serapeum of Alexandria, one of the most significant religious and archaeological sites in the 'Greek-influenced city' of Alexandria. We are standing on the 'Mount of Rakhotis,' the only high point in the city and…

We stand at the base of the most iconic monument in Alexandria: the column popularly known as Pompey's Pillar. It is a 'Roman triumphal column' made of a single piece of red Aswan granite, standing 26 meters tall and weighing an…

While today we see mostly ruins, this site was once occupied by the massive Temple of Serapis. The cult of Serapis was a 'supreme god' created by Ptolemy the First to unify his Greek and Egyptian subjects. …

Descending into the rock-cut galleries, we find the remains of what was known as the 'Daughter Library.' While the 'Mother Library' was in the royal district, this extra storage was needed for the city's vast collection of…

Continuing through the underground galleries, we encounter the 'tomb for the bull,' known as the Serapeum or the burial place for the Apis bull. One of the most 'impressive' finds here is a black basalt statue of Serapis in the…

As we walk around the site, we see numerous 'ancient objects' and 'statues' brought here from all over Egypt. Among the most striking are the 'two red granite sphinxes' that once belonged to a larger group of three or more. …

The final chapter of this glorious temple is one of 'violence and war.' In 391 AD, the Christian Bishop of Alexandria, Theophilus, received permission to destroy the pagan temples. When the pagans of the city saw their 'cult…

As we conclude our tour of the Serapeum, let us look one last time at the 'most well-known column standing strong and tall in Egypt.' We have traveled through time, from the 'Mount of Rakhotis' to the 'magnificent temple of…