European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 21, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Alexandria s picturesque seafront  Harbor which serves As a major Center of Trade Between East   offers tradition blended with Charm by Craig Martin staff writer when in Egypt do what the egyptians do take Egypt vacation in Alexandria. Alexandria founded in 332 ., is Egypt s second largest City  chief port. It has a population of about 5 million  is one of the Mediterranean s leading ports. Its beaches climate  atmosphere have Long made it one of the country s major summer resorts. In bygone Days the entire governments moved from Cairo to Alexandria for the summer  the diplomatic corps moved with it. Today that is no longer the practice but egyptians still go to Alexandria for vacations in the same Way americans visit another state. The old East Harbor is now used mainly by fishing boats while the adjoining modern great Harbor hosts freighters  cruise ships. It is protected by the pharos Peninsula  a two mile Long breakwater. The port of Alexandria serves As a major Center of Trade Between East  West. The first look a visitor will have at Alexandria is the sweeping View of its Crescent shaped seafront lined with stately Palms  old houses hotels  buildings. The Homes appear to be maintained better than those in the capital City Cairo. Alexandria is different from Cairo. Its ambience is More Mediterranean than Oriental. Alexandria has a Charm of its own  no trip to Egypt would be Complete without a tour. A. A Good place to begin is at Freedom Square formerly Mehemet Ali Square a Long rectangle with an equestrian statue of Mehemet Ali. A a the roman Greco museum gives the visitor some idea of the grandeur of Alexandria under the creeks  romans the collection of some 40,000 works of Art includes statues Bas reliefs capitals earthenware jewelry  amulets of mingled egyptian greek  roman design. Most Date from 300  To . 300. It has one room that is oiled with statues with no Heads  another room with earthenware Heads with no bodies. \ there Are two fascinating parts to the museum. One is a collection of coins minted in Alexandria during the Greco roman period. Another is an exhibit of iridescent  fused Glass. Near the museum is a huge excavation site that reveals a roman Amphitheater which is a Small theater or conceit Hall. Discovered in 1964, it is the Only Structure of its kind in Egypt its 12 tiers of semicircular Marble benches could seat an audience of about 800. It is almost in perfect condition  is the oldest of the roman Era found in Egypt according to tourism officials. Carvings of the Cross  other Christian symbols indicate that it was used Long after the last roman departed. The entire Complex was discovered in the course of digging the foundation for a new building. The catacombs of Komel Shurafa Cho Faga Date from Between the second Century  And second Century . These catacombs were discovered in 1900  Are considered to be the most important burial grounds in Egypt. They Are unique both for their plan  decoration. The tombs which Are three stories High connected by a winding 99-step staircase show a mingling of egyptian  Greco roman styles typical of Alexandria. The rooms Are neatly Hen out of solid Rock. Some rooms contain mummies. They also contain Many Limestone statues  intricate inlaid carvings of people  animals. The dead were lowered through a Shaft 99-feet deep into these catacombs. More than 300 skeletons have been found Here. Large pillars remain standing at the roman Amphitheater which was unearthed in 1964. Stripes Magazine january 21, 1993