Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa

Kom El Shoqafa

The Arabic name translates to English as “the mound of potsherds”, referring to the broken dishes and plates that marked the area before the tombs were discovered below. This extensive complex of impressively decorated tombs dates from the Roman Era and are considered as one of the “Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages”.The tombs at Kom Al-Shuqafa are thought to have originally belonged to a single wealthy Roman family that began using it for burials around the 2nd century AD; however, the complex was significantly expanded and it was used though the 4th century AD.It contains a large number of graves, including a mass grave of animal and human remains that is attributed to a mass execution carried out in Alexandria, Egypt's second-largest city, has many reasons to be famous. Alexandria by the Roman Emperor Caracalla in 215 AD.The tombs are organized around a central spiral staircase that leads down through several levels. The lower levels are flooded, but in the accessible areas the walls of the tombs are extensively decorated. They display an unusual fusion of Greek, Roman, and Egyptian iconography given the era of their construction.In Egypt in the early centuries AD, the Roman Empire was in control, but the influences of ancient Egypt and Greek culture, due to the legacy of Alexander and the Ptolomies, were still strong.The figures carved into the walls of the tomb often combine the forms of ancient Egyptian gods with Roman and Greek dress or creatures from Greek and Roman mythology with pharaonic symbols.

Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa facts

History of the cemetery
It is one of the cemeteries of Alexandria, Egypt's second-largest city, has many reasons to be famous. Alexandria in the Roman era. It is located in the Karmouz neighborhood west of Alexandria, Egypt's second-largest city, has many reasons to be famous. Alexandria . This name was given to it in revival of the ancient Greek name “Lokos Keramaikos.” Kom el-Shuqafa is located in the area where the village of Rakotis was established, which is the name by which it was known to the Romans and in revival of the ancient Pharaonic name.ra-gadit as mentioned in a hieroglyphic inscription from the reign of Ptolemy I. Excavations were carried out in the Kom el-Shoqafa area in 1892, but a hole in the ceiling of the cemetery was discovered by chance in 1900 AD. The cemetery is of the catacomb type, which is a type of cemetery that spread in the first three centuries AD, and the catacomb cemetery is the main cemetery in the Kom el-Shoqafa area and bore this name due to  Due to the similarity in layout between them and the Christian Catacomb cemeteries in Rome, the name Catacomb is a term given to the tombs dug under the surface of the ground.

Where is the catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa located

The cemetery consists of a spiral staircase that connects the three floors. The lower steps of the staircase are higher, and then the height of the steps begins to decrease gradually until they are almost non-existent near the surface of the ground.It is considered the largest public Roman cemetery found in Alexandria, Egypt's second-largest city, has many reasons to be famous. Alexandria . It is located on the border of the western cemetery in ancient Alexandria, Egypt's second-largest city, has many reasons to be famous. Alexandria and dates back to the second century AD.This archaeological cemetery is located in the Kom el-Shoqafa area in the Karmouz neighborhood, behind the current Muslim cemeteries, and this area is part of the ancient city of Alexandria, Egypt's second-largest city, has many reasons to be famous. Alexandria .Kom el Shoqafa Cemetery is one of the distinctive tourist places in Alexandria, Egypt's second-largest city, has many reasons to be famous. Alexandria and is at the top of the list of tourist places in the city. It is preferred by a large number of foreigners and they constantly request to visit it.The cemetery was discovered by chance and was uncovered by experts until it reached its final form. It was exposed more than once to damage due to groundwater. Through the formed archaeological committee and through foreign experts, the problem was solved through water pumps to prevent groundwater from reaching the archaeological site.The ancient tombs of Kom el-Shoqafa are located in the middle of a residential area in Karmouz. It was part of ancient Alexandria, Egypt's second-largest city, has many reasons to be famous. Alexandria during the Roman era, and because of the earthquakes and Alexandria, Egypt's second-largest city, has many reasons to be famous. Alexandria being exposed to a number of earthquakes, a large part of it collapsed, and this part remains the one that was discovered.

What happened to the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa

Many of the archaeologists who were working in it confirmed that it was initially used as a cemetery for a wealthy family, and then it was used to bury many families as some chambers and burial holes were added in the walls in one or two rows above each other. It has an entrance above the ground followed by a spiral staircase that leads to the first ground floor. It consists of a vestibule connected to a circular hall with a well in the middle, and at the end of it is a staircase that leads to the second ground floor, where the main part of the burial is located.The cemetery is of the type called “Kata Komb”, which is a type of cemetery that spread in the first three centuries AD. The “Kata Komb” cemetery is the main cemetery in the Kom el Shoqafa area, and it bore this name due to the similarity in layout between it and the cemeteries of “Kom el Shoqafa” Catacomb a Christian term in Rome, is a term given to tombs dug under the surface of the earth.

Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa

The tombs are distinguished by many drawings dating back to the middle of the Roman era and coins were also found dating back to the period between the reign of Traiman and the reign of Clenius the Younger.It appears from this that the tomb was in use until the beginning of the fourth century AD and then was neglected.These ancient tombs contain coffins decorated with wreaths of grape leaves bunches of grapes and Medusa heads in addition to lokli that is small rectangular burial niches carved into the walls used in burials as well as other small square niches carved into the walls where vessels containing the Humanity remains were placed.

Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa entrance fees

• How much is entry to catacombs of kom el shoqafa ?

-For Egyption\Arab:

Adult : EGP 30
Student : EGP 10

-For Other Nationalty:

Adult :EGP 100
Student: EGP 50

• Opening Hours ?

-All Days:  Working Hours: from 09:00 am to 05:00 pm

• Free entry Policy
  -Free entry for children below 6 years.
  -Free entry for Egyptians & Arabs with special needs.
  -Free entry for Egyptians and Arabs above 60 years.
  -Photography with mobile phone is free of charge.