Alexandria, a city in Egypt, has always been a magnet for tourists. Among its many historical sites, the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa stand out as a unique testament to the city's rich and diverse past. Located in the Karmouz district, this ancient necropolis offers a fascinating glimpse into a fusion of cultures and burial practices.
The entrance to the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa.
A Blend of Cultures
As with the Anfushi Tombs, the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa exhibit a very obvious fusion of Greek, Roman, and Egyptian cultures. Due to the time period, many of the features of the catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa merge Roman, Greek and Egyptian cultural attributes.
For example, many of the statues inside the necropolis are clearly Egyptian as far as basic style is concerned, but many are “dressed” in Roman clothes. Some statues are Egyptian in style, yet bear Roman clothes and hairstyles whilst other features share a similar style. Coexistence of different styles for different subjects: Egyptian funerary scene with Anubis, in Egyptian style, and myth of the Abduction of Persephone in Greek style. The necropolis consists of a series of Alexandrian tombs, statues and archaeological objects of the Pharaonic funerary cult with Hellenistic and early Imperial Roman influences.
At the front of the tomb chamber there is a temple-like façade consisting of two columns topped by papyrus, lotus, and acanthus leaves of ancient Egypt and supporting an architrave with a relief of a central winged sun-disk flanked by Horus falcons. A carved Agathodaemon in the form of a snake is flanking both sides of the entrance to the inner tomb. Each snake wears a Roman Caduceus and a Greek Thyrsus as well as the Egyptian Pschent and is topped by a shield showing a Medusa.
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Figures of a man and a woman are carved into the wall. The man's body has a stiff hieratic pose typical of Ancient Egyptian sculpture, with the head carved in the lifelike manner of the classic Hellenes.
Historical Context
Historians and archaeologists believe the tombs were carved into the existing bedrock over a period of several years. The facility was then used as a burial chamber from the 2nd century to the 4th century. It is believed that the catacombs were only intended for a single family, but it is unclear why the site was expanded in order to house numerous other individuals.
Based on what little evidence there is, most researchers belief that the tombs were largely forgotten about after the fourth century, and then finally rediscovered in 1900 when a donkey accidentally fell into the access shaft. According to the historical records, a man called Monseir El-Sayed Aly Gibara informed the local Museum of the location of Kom El-Shokafa in 1900. This site resembles the largest burial destination that dates back to the Greco-Roman period.
One hundred twenty years since finding out the largest and the most important burial site in Egypt, you can live the same surprising that the discoverers of this largest Roman cemetery had lived. You will know why the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa is one of the places you have to visit at least once. You will be amazed by the statues that were made in Egyptian styles, but with Roman clothing and hairstyle.
The catacombs were named Kom El Shoqafa, meaning Mound of Shards, because the area used to contain a mound of terra cotta shards, mostly consisting of jars and objects made of clay. These objects were left by those visiting the tombs, who would bring food and wine for their consumption during the visit. However, they did not wish to carry these containers home from this place of death, so they would break them.
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Exploring the Catacombs
A Walk Around the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, Alexandria, Egypt
The cemetery consists of three levels carved into the rock. All these levels are located under the ground level. These three tiers of tombs and chambers cut into bedrock to a depth of 35m(115 feet). The catacombs lie beneath the western necropolis of Alexandria and consist of three levels cut through solid rock, the third level was completely underwater until recent restorations.
Access to the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa is via a spiral stairway located in the center of the complex. Enjoy visiting the catacombs Alexandria Egypt and get into it through an entrance above the ground to find the main cemetery, “Catacomb,” covered by a vault with a roof is carved and decorated in the form of a seashell. Then you can climb down into its spiral staircase of 99 steps that are connected to the three floors.
Inside the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa.
The First Level
The first level is mostly dominated by a large funeral banquet hall where family and/or mourners would gather. In the ask of how People of the deceased took their rest while the visit of the deceased, you will find in that place three sofas carved into the rock resembling terraces, in front of which a wooden table was used for eating. You can sit at these rock sofas and live as you are one of the Romans.
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The Second Level
Descending the stone stairway to the second level, one is greeted by an unusually eerie feeling, thanks to the many sculptures which still remain to this day. At the end of the staircase, you will arrive on the second floor, where you will find the main part of the burial. You will be amazed on both sides of the burial chamber, particularly with this mix of Egyptian and Roman decorations, as you will find the head Medusa “, which was completely cut into the rock, and below it the Egyptian snake” cobra “wearing the crown of the tribal and marine faces.
Before entering the main chamber, take a look at the two corridors, the first one in the east and the other in the west, then you will walk through the hall that passes the Rotunda. There is a small hall in front. In this vestibule, you will see at the east a statue of a man inside a niche; and in the west, there is a statue of a woman inside a niche. The burial part is surrounded by a small enclosure wall called the “parapet”, on top of which is a dome, supported by six pillars.
You’ll also see three very large stone coffins which were made in such a way so that they cannot be opened. There are three huge stone sarcophagi with non-removable covers along the sides of the chamber. It's assumed that bodies were inserted in them from behind, using a passageway which runs around the outside of the funeral chamber. Each sarcophagus has associated a relief panel. The central panel shows the jackal-headed Anubis wearing Roman soldier garb, who mummifies a body lying on a lion bed. Below the bed are three canopic jars.
The god Anubis is waiting for the deads there with a jar in his left hand that is supposed to contain some liquids that were used during mummification, while his right hand is touching the mummy. You will find an emperor or a ruler wearing a short kilt. Behind Serapis is a Goddess stretching her wings, maybe representing the Goddess Isis, on the right recess of the burial chamber has nearly the same design.
There is a hallway with 91 inch deep walls in the central tomb chamber, with carved recesses, each providing burial space for three mummies. The sarcophagi are decorated with garlands and heads of Greek mythology gods.
The Third Level
At the end of the second floor, there is a staircase leading to the third floor, and there is a platform tilted against the direction of the stairs. The third level was completely underwater until recent restorations.
Hall of Caracalla
If you choose to access the first level through a breech in the outer rotunda wall, you’ll also see the rather gruesome Hall of Caracalla. Visitors can reach the first level through a breach in the rotunda wall, which was made at an unknown date. Rotunda wall is so important for tourists to go through a breach to reach the first level. It leads to the Hall of Caracalla in which the bones of horses and humans were found.
This hall was used as a mass burial site when countless people were massacred under the orders of Emperor Caracalla in 215 AD.
The Hall of Caracalla.
Visiting the Catacombs
The catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa are an important historical archeological site in Alexandria that is considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages. Alexandria was called “The Paris of Antiquity” because of its great history and touristic attractions. The catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa were part of a Necropolis “The City of the Dead”. They were built on the western edge of the town.
As with a number of other attractions in Alexandria, it can be very difficult to find parking space if you choose to drive to the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa yourself.
If you would like to visit the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa when you’re in Egypt, please explore our tours. Our Egypt tour packages are high quality customizable tours that include quality accommodation, quality transportation, and professional Expert guides.
Travel to Egypt agency mostly includes Alexandria city in the Egypt tours and day tours. If you checked out Alexandria day tours, you will definitely find visits to El shoqafa catacombs.
Here are some popular tour options:
- Day trip to Alexandria from Cairo: Explore the landmarks of Alexandria which includes the catacomb of Kom El Shoqafa, plus the enchanting tourist places such as Qaitbay citadel, Alexandria library, and Pompey’s pillar.
- Egypt travel packages: Discover best attractions in the land of Pharaohs such as Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan, and Hurghada which include a day tour to visit the catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa beside to discover the enchanting pyramids, the mysteries tombs and majestic temples of Pharaohs with enable to do a Nile cruise to discover the enchanting monuments of Upper Egypt.
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