When many people hear Alexandria, they think about the ancient Library of Alexandria. This is considered to have been one of the largest and most important libraries of the ancient world, spanning multiple buildings and made Alexandria an important centre of knowledge. Sadly, the Royal Library was destroyed in the war between Cleopatra and her brother, and the smaller, daughter library was destroyed when Egypt became Christian and the king wanted to get rid of everything “pagan”.

However, in 2002 the new Bibliotheca Alexandria opened by the seaside along El Korneesh. This large complex of museums, reading-rooms (the main one can host 8 million books and fit 2,500 people!), libraries, conference halls, exhibitions and one planetarium has done the impossible by filling the shoes left by its predecessor. The circular structure symbolizes the cyclical nature of knowledge, as the library has helped Alexandria rise into a centre of knowledge once again.

The best way of getting as much out of your library experience as possible, if your time in Alexandria is limited, is to join one of the library tours. These tours can be booked in advance through the library’s website: https://www.bibalex.org/en/page/visits. The website also offers information about the events at the library, such as concerts and the annual book fair.

Bibliotheca Alexandrina has something for everyone to see, and the structure itself can be admired by those interested in architecture. It is set by the sea, with a sloping roof that reflects the sun’s beams, creating the illusion of a second sun rising from the Mediterranean. Its outer, granite walls are covered in symbols, hieroglyphs and pictograms from more than 120 different human languages and the big windows leading to the reading rooms have been designed to let the light in, while keeping harmful sun-rays out. It is a magnificent centre for students, researchers and visitors alike.