The Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa are considered one of Alexandria’s most important historical, archaeological sites. It is also considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World in the Middle Ages because the tombs of the dead in Kom el Shoqafa combine Roman, Greek, and Egyptian cultures.
Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa:
Alexandria was the capital of Egypt for a long time. She was called “the bride, or pearl of the Mediterranean.” There are a lot of sights that are hard to find anywhere else in the country.
The Kom El Shoqafa necropolis is one of Alexandria’s most important historical sites and one of the most popular destinations for tourists visiting Egypt. The fact that these catacombs are made in a Roman style shows how ancient Egyptian art influenced Roman art.
Where is Kom El Shoqafa?
The Kom al-Shuqafa tombs are located in western Alexandria, south of the “onion port” or “Mina al-Basil” area where onions were traded. You can take a taxi to the catacombs from anywhere in Alexandria.
Information about the catacombs:
We can say that the catacombs in Kom el-Shahafa were built at different times, between the first and second centuries AD, based on their shape, shape, and decoration.
Some of the objects found were made between AD 117 and 138. Historians agree that the catacombs were used until the end of the fourth century AD and left empty afterward.
This critical historical site was found by accident. On September 28, 1900, a donkey fell into the main entrance to the cemetery, which was more than 12 meters deep. This caught the attention of the archaeological mission working in the area since 1892.
Who made the tombs of Kom el Shoqafa?
The Kom El Shoqafa necropolis was built in the Roman era. It was found by chance in September 1900 when a donkey fell into the central hole of the cemetery. While searching for the donkey, this unique trace was found.
Description of the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa:
The catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa are among the best things to do in Alexandria today. The entrance is reached by a spiral staircase, about 10 meters deep and 6 meters wide. It revolves around a cylindrical water well.
According to Roman custom, this staircase has more giant steps at the top and smaller steps at the bottom. It leads to the first underground room.
This consisted of a gallery leading to a circular room called the ‘Rotten Hall.’ In the center of it is a water well. There is a rectangular room to one side, which was used as a banqueting hall.
At the end of the circular hall, some steps lead to a second crypt containing most of the tombs of Kom El Shoqafa.
The rotunda, or rotunda, is anchored by six pillars and a dome. About 8.5m down is where the water well is. There are red geometric shapes on the walls of this room.
At the site, five statue heads made of alabaster were found. It is now on display at the Greco-Roman Museum in Alexandria.
“triclinium” is the name of the second chamber that can be seen. It is 9 meters wide and 8.5 meters long and has the most beautiful decorations in all of Kom al-Shuqafa. During their trip to the catacombs, relatives of the undead met here for lunch.
The chamber with three sarcophagi of Greek and Roman designs is essential to the second underground part. The middle section contains inscriptions showing how difficult it was to restore the body in ancient Egypt.
Pictures of the Roman emperor wearing his crown and offering gifts to the goddess Isis, who spreads her wings over the deceased, are on the walls of the chamber.
When you leave the main room of Kom el Shoqafa, you can see the god Anubis standing in front of a pharaonic door dressed as a soldier and carrying Roman weapons.
The god Anubis also appears on the right side, but this time he has a human body and a dragon’s tail. All of these scenes came from the art on tombs in ancient Egypt.
