A treasure trove of wonderful images and documents that capture Alexandria's unique Mediterranean story.
Until 1805, Alexandria was a small town of five thousand people. Mohamed Ali Pasha, a minor officer in the Ottoman army that came to reconquer Egypt from Napoleon Bonaparte, became viceroy and, in a short time, transformed Alexandria into a modern, cosmopolitan metropolis. The city, bustling with trade and culture, became the mecca of the Mediterranean, attracting immigrants from across Europe and the Levant. The old Latin phrase Alexandrea ad Ægyptum, meaning "Alexandria by Egypt", signifying its uniqueness, became again relevant. This collection features contemporary illustrations, historical maps, and the writings of witnesses who saw the making of Alexandria, from the early 19th to the mid-20th century.
About the Author Sherif Boraie is an editor and publisher based in Cairo. He founded his imprint, Zeitouna, in 1988, under which he has published a great number of highly illustrated books on Egyptian history, from the pharaohs to modern times. An expert in Egyptian history and heritage, Sherif is a leading light in the cultural scene of Egypt and with an unequalled knowledge of his subject.