Inaugurated in 2002 on the waterfront of Alexandria, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina pays homage to the Great ancient library founded around 300 B.C. by Ptolemy I. Beyond its function as a library (announced capacity of several million volumes), the complex houses several museums, a planetarium, exhibition spaces and a research centre.

Why visit the Bibliotheca Alexandrina

The building is an architectural masterpiece designed by Norwegian firm Snøhetta: an inclined disc set into the ground, conceived as a "second sunrise over the Mediterranean". Its granite façade is engraved with letters and symbols from more than 120 human writing systems. The main reading hall, arranged over eleven cascading levels, remains one of the world's largest reading spaces.

The visit appeals to both ancient history enthusiasts and travellers curious about contemporary architecture. Allow 2 to 3 hours to explore the entire complex, longer if you wish to see temporary exhibitions and the planetarium.

History of the Library of Alexandria

The ancient Great Library

Ptolemy I, successor to Alexander the Great, commissioned the building of the Great Library of Alexandria around 300 B.C. to make the city a centre of Mediterranean learning. A hub for scholars, the institution welcomed figures such as Zenodotus of Ephesus, its first chief librarian, and Eratosthenes of Cyrene, who measured the Earth's circumference there. At its height, the library is estimated to have held more than 900,000 manuscripts.

Progressive decline

Decline began around 145 B.C., during the purge of Alexandria's intellectual elite under Ptolemy VIII. Persecuted, scholars left the city and founded their own schools elsewhere in the eastern Mediterranean and the West. The library subsequently suffered several partial destructions: Julius Caesar's attack in 48 A.D., conflicts between paganism and Christianity in the 4th and 6th centuries, and finally the Muslim invasion orchestrated by Caliph Omar in 640.

From Champollion to modern renaissance

In the 19th century, Egyptologist Jean-François Champollion came to Alexandria to study Egyptian hieroglyphics, following research launched by Napoleon's expedition to Égypte. The idea of reconstruction was raised in 1974 by scholars from Alexandria University. With UNESCO's support and approval from President Hosni Mubarak, a call for tenders was issued in 1988 and won by Norwegian architecture firm Snøhetta. Construction began in 1995 and the modern library was inaugurated in October 2002.

What to see on site

Architecture and reading hall

The main building takes the form of an angular inclined disc. The sloping roof is pierced with special windows that filter natural light to illuminate the interior without damaging the books. The main reading hall can accommodate several thousand readers and is designed for a capacity of several million books. Six specialized libraries complement it: children's section (6-11 years), young people's section (11-17 years), library for the visually impaired, arts and multimedia centre, exchange and archiving space, and rare book collection.

The Museum of Antiquities

The museum presents objects discovered throughout Égypte, covering the Pharaonic, Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Islamic periods. Among the outstanding pieces: 2nd-century funeral masks, shabtis (funerary figurines) and several Greek sculptures.

The Museum of Manuscripts

This section houses a collection of ancient documents, including a copy of the only parchment saved from the old ancient library. The permanent exhibition Impressions of Alexandria traces the city's past through drawings, maps and old photographs.

Exhibitions, cinema and planetarium

Exhibition spaces host works by contemporary Arab artists, textiles and medieval Arab scientific instruments. Film enthusiasts will find sketches of sets signed by Shadi Abdel Salam, a director born in Alexandria, as well as regular screenings of "Al Momia" (The Night of the Count of Years). The Culturama programme broadcasts, on nine synchronized screens, videos on the history of Égypte. Facing the main building, the planetarium occupies a neon-lit sphere and offers 3D films suitable for families. The Exploratorium and the Museum of the History of Sciences complete the offering, with sections dedicated to Pharaonic Égypte, Hellenistic Alexandria and the Islamic period.

Practical information

The entrance and ticket office are located at the rear of the building, on the University side. Rates are moderate for foreigners, with student discounts; some museums in the complex require an additional ticket. Guided tours are offered in Arabic, English and English-speaking languages at regular intervals in the morning. As opening hours and rates may change, check this information on the official website before your visit.

Good to know:

• Children under 6 are not permitted in the main reading hall; childcare is available during opening hours.
• Bags are not allowed inside; wallet and camera remain permitted.
• Allow 2 to 3 hours for a complete tour of the complex.

When to go

Alexandria enjoys a Mediterranean climate, milder than the rest of Égypte. The period from October to April is the most pleasant for combining a visit to the library with a stroll on the Corniche. In summer, the city becomes a seaside resort popular with Egyptians: visitor numbers increase in July-August, but the library, air-conditioned, offers a welcome refuge during hot hours. On Fridays and religious holidays, check opening hours which may be reduced.

How to get there

From Cairo, allow approximately 3 hours by road or train (regular rail link between Cairo-Ramsès and Alexandria-Misr). Once there, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina is easily accessible by taxi from any part of the city. It is located on the Corniche, in the immediate vicinity of the Faculty of Arts of Alexandria University. The tram also serves the area, with a station a few minutes' walk away.

Nearby attractions

The library is part of a broader cultural itinerary in Égypte. To extend your discovery of the country's heritage, several sites complement the visit:

• The Coptic Museum in Cairo, which traces the Christian heritage of Égypte.
• The temples of Aswan and Elephantine Island, milestones of the Upper Nile Valley.
• The temples of Abu Simbel, at the far south of the country.
• The tomb of Pharaoh Horemheb, in the Valley of the Kings.

Frequently asked questions

Preparing your trip

Alexandria combines naturally with a stopover in Cairo and a journey up the Nile. To plan a tailor-made itinerary integrating the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the country's major sites, consult our travels in Égypte.