Built by Alexander the Great in 331 BC the city became the capital of Greco-Roman Egypt. This is the first of many walks in the "city that never sleeps". We started on a long walk along the corniche Despite the recent traumatic events, Alexandria remains the “bride of the Mediterranean”. Built by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, the city became the capital ofGreco-Roman Egypt and hasheld the gems of historic monuments throughout the years. This is the first of many walks in the “city that never sleeps”. We started on a long walk on the corniche. The Qaitbay-Abou El Abass walk A 15-minute walk that could extend to an hour, depending on your eagerness to explore the richness of the place. Our starting point is the Qaitbay Citadel which lies at the end of the Pharos scenic path, separating the eastern and the western harbours in Bahary. The citadel was built by Sultan Al Ashraf Qaitbay Al Mamlouke in the year 884 Hijri, (1477 AD), in the same location as the old Fanar (lighthouse) of Alexandria, one of the wonders of the old world, to defend Egypt's northern borders. The old Fanar was built during the reign of King Ptolemy II, and for over 15,000 years was the longest building on earth (117 metres). Unfortunately, it was destroyed in the earthquake that hit Egypt at that time. However, big chunks of the ancient lighthouse, among numerous historical treasures from the Greco-Roman period, are lying serenely at the bottom of the sea, a few metres away from the citadel. There are diving trips for those interested in coming face-to-face with sunken treasures. Outside the citadel a platform extends from its gate facing the western harbour, to a police station situated at the entrance of the scenic path and ending with a beautiful mosaic wall. The locals favour this promenade, and are often seen fishing, strolling or just sitting, looking at the view of the citadel and the open sea. There are several stands located on each side of the walkway, where sellers display seashell ornaments, oriental necklaces, beads, and handmade wooden souvenirs symbolising Egypt. Street vendors with their cotton candy, sweets and ice cream racks and the famous fresca (a sweet, delicate crepe mostly sold on the northern coasts of Egypt, especially Alexandria) wander around. Boat-owners will ask if you would like a boat ride around the castle. On the side of the scenic path facing the eastern harbour, next to Qaitbay castle stands the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries. Right next to which is the Aquarium, founded in 1994 by the Oceanography Department at the Faculty of Science. Despite its appropriate site, the aquarium, which is supposed to contain rare fish and sea-creatures for studies and display, is in a poor condition and needs some attention. If you are looking for a good meal, a breath-taking view and a Greek taste of the city, then the Greek Maritime Club should be your next port of call. Tucked right next to the aquarium, with its small private beach, it was founded in 1958 by the Greek community in Alexandria, and still has a Greek ambience. Standing on the blue terrace, you can spend hours watching the eastern harbour with its swathe of colourful fishing boats, overlooking the grand architectural gems of this coastal city. Only a few steps away from the Greek club, lies the open air Workshop of Boat-builders. You can watch them as they create, shape and paint all forms of boats manually. The workshop is also near the main Fishing Harbour. It's the starting point for the fishermen's daily morning journey out to sea. It's an amazing experience to be in a small boat with about a hundred boats surrounding you. If it is early in the morning you can catch sight of the boats returning with loaded fishing nets. In the afternoon you will find them collecting their nets and tools and anchoring their boats once again. On the corniche, you will see horse carriages known as "El Hantoor" offering rides around this ancient city by the sea. On the other side there are many local coffee shops to be found, however we recommend the famous ice-cream parlour, “Azza Ice-cream”. Azza began back in the 1950s as a street vendor and now has more than five stores all over Alexandria. A few blocks away, overlooking the sea is El Mursi Abou El Abass Square. The correct name is the “Square of the Mosques” named by King Fouad I, who gave the order to create the square for the existing mosques and tombs. It includes the tomb of Sheikh Shihab Eldin Abou El Abass Ahmed Bin Hassan Bin Ali Ansari Khazraji Morsey, who is related to Sahabi Saad Bin Ebada; the tomb of Sheikh El Bosery and the tomb of Sheikh Yackout el Arsh, on which three mosques were built. Abul Abbas Al-Mursi, an icon of Sufism, was born in the town of Marsia (hence the name) in Andalusia in 616 AH (AD 1219) and known for his intelligence and wit. In 640 AH (AD 1242) on their way to pilgrimage at Mecca he and his brother were the only survivors of a shipwreck. His brother continued as a merchant like their late father, while El-Mursi chose to teach people how to read and write, and the principals of the Quran. Throughout his long Sufi quest, he travelled extensively before settling in Tunisia, where he met Abul Hassan al-Shazli and became his successor. After burying al-Shazli, Al-Mursi lived in Alexandria and continued to call people to the path of God in his famous mosque in the el-Attarin district, until his death and was buried there in 685 AH (AD 1287). All three sheikhs buried here are believed to have great spiritual abilities. The square can bury you in a crowd of followers, sellers and even beggars, but when you manage to overcome all this you will definitely be struck by the amazing Islamic architecture of the three mosques, both inside and out. Inside the mosques you can hear the recitation of the Quran and Sufi poems, delivered by captivating voices. Beside the mosques there are shops selling cassette tapes of Sufi poems read by famous names, beads, Islamic ornaments and herbs. The square is also the setting for the traditional Funfair with its colourful iron and wooden swings in the form of small boats.
