Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa
مقابر كوم الشقافة
A 2nd-century Roman-era underground necropolis, where Egyptian deities wear Roman armor, blending Egyptian, Greek and Roman artistic styles.
Kom el Shoqafa means “Mound of Potsherds.” It was discovered in 1900, when a donkey fell into a hole. The tombs descend three levels underground along a spiral staircase. In the main burial chamber, reliefs show Anubis in Roman military uniform, a Medusa head and the sacred Egyptian serpent side by side, a representation of the fusion of Greek, Roman and Egyptian culture. There is also the “Hall of Caracalla” and hundreds of niches. Admission costs about EGP 200, and a visit takes about an hour. The lowest level has standing water and has been sealed off. Rules on photography inside change from time to time, so check on site. The site is about 800 m from Pompey’s Pillar and can be walked as part of a combined route.
Opening hours
09:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Pompey's Pillar & Serapeum
- Roman Amphitheatre (Kom El Dikka)
- Alexandria Opera House (Sayed Darwish Theatre)
- Cavafy Museum
- Coptic Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Mark
- Unknown Soldier Memorial (Alexandria)
- Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue
- Saad Zaghloul Square & Historic Cafés