Egypt’s Bibliotheca Alexandrina is among the top ten most beautiful libraries in the world
The ancient library of Alexandria was the largest repository of knowledge of its time. Many centuries ago, more than five hundred thousand papyri were preserved there, divided into scientific branches. More than once this Grand structure suffered from fires and raids, until in 391 the library with its numerous manuscripts was completely destroyed by the Byzantines. The Byzantine Christian fanatics were convinced that these writings contained heresy. Thus, humanity has forever lost half a million literary and philosophical masterpieces, about which no one will ever know.
However, at the beginning of the 21st century, on the site of the destroyed library of Alexandria more than one and a half thousand years ago, a new grandiose structure was opened-the library “Alexandrina”. The UNESCO organization, together with the government of Egypt, as well as some countries of Europe and the Arab world, Japan, have joined forces to revive the unique book Depository. In addition, many countries of the world have contributed to the creation of the library’s Foundation by donating books there. About thirty countries have voluntarily donated almost 100 million dollars for the construction of the grandiose structure.
Preparatory work was carried out in 1992-1995. The actual construction of the library took more than 7 years. The construction works were carried out jointly by English and Italian companies under the direction of the Austrian architect Christopher Kapelle and the Norwegian Association “Shohetta”.
The Grand opening of the Alexandrina library took place on October 16, 2002. Since then, this magnificent structure does not leave anyone indifferent. “Alexandrina” has firmly taken a position in the top ten most beautiful libraries in the world, along with the largest book storehouses in great Britain, Germany, Belgium, Latvia and the United States.
The grandiose size of the library of Alexandria is admirable: it is able to store more than 8 million books. The reading room is located on eleven levels, its total area is no less than 70 thousand square meters.meters. It cascades down to the Mediterranean coast, is faced with granite, and crowns it with a glass roof. Most of the books in the collection are in Arabic, French and English.
The underground part of the library houses the Museum of antiquities, permanent exhibitions of rare books, modern and Arabic folk art, and a laboratory for the restoration of manuscripts. The library complex also includes a conference hall, a planetarium and the Anwar Sadat Museum, opened in 2009, where personal belongings, portraits and gifts received by the President are displayed. In addition, many scientific and research centers operate at Alexandria. It is the center for the study of Hellenistic civilization, the center for the study of Islamic civilization, center for the study of Coptic civilization, the center for the study of Mediterranean culture, center for the study of democracy and social peace, the center for the study of manuscripts, arts center, center for special studies and programs, an antique Museum, a Museum of manuscripts, the center of “La Francophone”, center for the study of the environment. Thus, now the Alexandria library is one of the largest scientific centers in Egypt and all of North Africa.
The new building has an original shape and looks like a sundial or a huge drum that is tilted towards the sea. The diameter of the glass roof is 160 meters, and the area is comparable to the area of a football field. On the facade of “Alexandria” are carved various graphic symbols taken from 120 extinct and preserved written systems of the world.
Every year, the library of Alexandria is visited by about one and a half million tourists.
