The Catacombs of Kom El-Shuqafa

The term “pottery pile” in Arabic refers to the collection of shattered and whole plates that identified the region before the tombs underneath were found. The size of this lavishly embellished tomb. The complex, which belongs to the Roman era, is regarded as one of the “Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages.”

Initially, it was thought that the tomb of Kom Al-Shuqafa belonged to a privileged Roman family. The structure was utilized up until the 4th century, but it was substantially expanded.

has a large number of tombs, including mass graves that contain both animal and human remains as a result of the widespread executions that Roman Emperor Caracalla conducted out in Alexandria in 215 AD.

A central spiral stairway that descends many levels connects the graves in a circle. The tombs’ walls are ornately painted at the accessible portion, while the lower floors are flooded. Given the era of construction, they exhibit a remarkable blend of Greek, Roman, and Egyptian iconography.

The legacy of Alexander and Ptolemy ensured that ancient Egyptian and Greek culture endured even after Egypt was dominated by the Roman Empire in several centuries BC.

Figures etched into tomb walls frequently blend pharaonic symbols with Greek and Roman mythological animals or the features of ancient Egyptian gods with Roman and Greek clothes.

you can visit The Catacombs of Kom El-Shuqafa in Alexandria during your Cairo trip with Al Sahel Travel