53.- APRIL 9, EGYPT, ALEXANDRIA

ALEXANDRIA, the second largest city in Egypt, known as "The Pearl of the Mediterranean". Was founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC and became the capital of Egypt. Home to the most famous queen, Cleopatra.

During the 19th and 20th centuries, was one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the Middle East. A true gateway between east and west.









Alexandria also had the world’s best library, containing thousands of texts collected from all known continents. The library was destroyed in a fire.
Early in the 21st century, a vast new library was built near the site of the ancient one.

Impressive modern edifice, designed by Snohetta , a Norwegian architect, which won the UNESCO competition to design the innovative $220 million project.

The circular complex links glass and Aswan granite into the facade.

A series of flexible open-plan interior spaces surround the vast library, like a cathedral room, (480 feet by 240 feet).

Handwritten manuscripts, printed matter, and computer data are stored here.

It has 1/2 MILLION Books, with a storage capacity of 8 million.

In a separate room, the oldest and most valuable books are exhibited.