The Greco-Roman Museum in Alexandria, Egypt, stands as a testament to the city's rich historical tapestry, showcasing artifacts that bridge the Pharaonic, Greek, and Roman eras. Established in the late 19th century, the museum has undergone significant transformations, culminating in its recent reopening after extensive renovations.
Establishment and Early History
Founded on October 17, 1892, during the reign of Khedive Abbas II, the Greco-Roman Museum was initially housed in a modest five-room apartment on Rosetta Street (now Horriya Avenue). Its creation was spearheaded by Italian archaeologist Giuseppe Botti, who became its first director. As the collection expanded, the need for a more substantial space became evident. In 1895, the museum relocated to a neoclassical building near Gamal Abdul Nasser Street, characterized by its six-column facade bearing the Greek inscription 'ΜΟΥΣΕΙΟΝ' ('MOUSEION'). This structure featured 27 exhibition halls and a central garden adorned with sculptures, offering visitors a comprehensive view of Greco-Roman art in Egypt.
Collections and Exhibits
The museum's extensive collection encompasses over 40,000 artifacts spanning approximately 11 centuries, from the city's founding in 331 BC by Alexander the Great to the Arab conquest in 641 AD. Notable pieces include:
-
Sculptures: A black granite statue of the sacred bull Apis and a marble head of Alexander the Great.
-
Mosaics: A 3rd-century BC mosaic depicting a stag hunt.
-
Religious Artifacts: Items reflecting the fusion of Egyptian and Greco-Roman religious practices.
-
Daily Life Objects: Artifacts illustrating aspects of daily life during the Greco-Roman period.
The collection offers invaluable insights into the cultural and artistic interactions between ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman civilizations.
Renovation and Reopening
In 2005, the museum closed its doors to undergo extensive restoration and expansion. However, due to funding challenges and political events, including the 2011 Egyptian revolution, the project faced significant delays. Restoration efforts resumed earnestly in 2018, culminating in the museum's grand reopening on October 11, 2023. The ceremony was attended by Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and other dignitaries, marking the end of an 18-year renovation period.
The restoration not only revitalized the museum's physical structure but also enhanced its role as a cultural and educational hub, aiming to boost tourism and scholarly interest in Alexandria's rich heritage.
The Greco-Roman Museum of Alexandria stands as a beacon of the city's storied past, offering a window into the confluence of civilizations that have shaped its history. Its recent reopening signifies a renewed commitment to preserving and celebrating this heritage, inviting visitors and scholars alike to explore the depths of Alexandria's Greco-Roman legacy.
The Israel Museum (Jerusalem)
Complete List of Museums in Israel
Complete List of Museums in China
Complete List of Museums in Sweden
Video tour of the Sistine chapel
Video tour of the Uffizi Gallery
Video tour of the Louver
Video tour of the Metropolitan museum
Sistine Chapel, Vatican - address and location
Something on the Vatican Museums
St. Paul Basilica, Vatican
Titanic Museum in USA, Pigeon Forge
American Museum of Natural History, USA, NY
Brooklyn Museum, NY, USA
The Jewish Museum in New York, USA
The Holocaust Memorial museum in Washington, USA
Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, USA
Museum of russian art, New Jersey, USA
Mutter Museum of Medical History, Philadelphia, USA
National Gallery of Art, Washington, USA
Water Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia
Best dinosaur museum in Moscow, Russia
Bread Museum in Izmailovo, Russia
Feodosia Money Museum, Ukraine
A. V. Bleschunov museum of Private Collections, Odessa
Cathedral Svyatogorsk Monastery Museum
Fire Fighting Museum in Kiev
Kerch Historical and Archaeological Museum, Ukraine
Lviv Art Gallery, Ukraine
Lviv Museum of Brewing, Ukraine
Reina Sofia art center, Spain, Madrid
Prado Museum: description, how to find it in Madrid, the location on the map
Art Museum of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
Thyssen-Bornemisza museum, Spain, Madrid
Museum Spanish Village, Barcelona, Spain
Pablo Picasso Museum in Malaga, Spain
Museums in Saint Petersburg
Museums in Moscow
Cathedral of the Annunciation, Moscow, Russia
Cathedral of the Archangel, Moscow, Russia
Cathedral of the Assumption, Moscow, Russia
Сatherine’s Palace, Pushkin, Russia
Church of the Deposition of the Robe, Moscow, Russia
City Sculpture Museum in St Petersburg, Russia
Kunstkammer, St. Petersburg (the anthropology and ethnography museum) - first Russian museum
The Literary Museum in Moscow, Russia
Monino Air Force Museum, Russia
The Armoury Chamber in Moscow, Russia
Museum of Applied Art and Everyday Life of XVII century Russia
Moscow Kremlin – Museum, Russia
Museum of Printing in Russia, Saint Petersburg
Polytechnic Museum in Moscow, Russia
Pushkin fine arts museum, Moscow, Russia
Railway Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia
Repin museum - Penates, Russia, Saint Petersburg
Russian Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia
The State Hermitage Museum, Russia, Saint Petersburg
History of the State Tretyakov Gallery and its location on the map
Painter Ivan Aivazovsky biography
What can be seen in the house of Caesar
Ancient Alexandria, Egypt
Which collections assembled by Cardinal Richelieu
What was the Museion, Egypt
Academy Gallery, Venice, Italy
Axel Munthe house, Venice, Italy
Basilica of Santa Croce, Florence, Italy
Correr Museum Venice Italy
Ferrari museum in Italy, Maranello
Gallery Brera, Milan, Italy
Italian Museum of Modern Art, Rivoli, Italy
Museum furniture in Italy, Valle d’Aosta
Museum of 18th century Venice, Italy
Museum of Capodimonte, Naples, Italy
Museum Poldi Pezzoli, Italy, Milan
National archaeological museum of Naples, Italy
National Museum of Bargello, Florence, Italy
Boijmans - Van Beuningen Museum, Rotterdam
Frans Hals Museum, Haarlem, Holland
Mauritshuis museum, Gaaga, Holland
Municipal Museum Amsterdam, Holland
Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, Holland
The Rembrandt House Museum in Amsterdam, Holland
Best Munich Museums & Galleries: Art, History & Culture Guide
Berlin Portrait Gallery
Bavarian National Museum, Munich, Germany
BMW Museum in Munich, Germany
German museum, Munich, Germany
Mercedes Benz Museum, Stuttgart, Germany
Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, Germany - location on the map
Museum Brandhorst in Munich, Germany
Museum newspapers, Aachen - history of the museum and its description
Porcelain Museum, Munich, Germany
Toy Museum in Germany, Munich
Dresden gallery (Old Masters Pictures), Germany, address and video
Bode Museum in Berlin
Wine Museum in Paris, France
What is considered the pearl of the Louvre exhibit?
What did Napoleon do for the Louvre?
Rouen Museum of Fine Arts, France
Puppet Museum in Paris, France