The Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa are a two-story underground burial complex carved into the bedrock of the Karmouz district, dating to the 2nd century AD and ranked among the largest Roman-era burial sites in Egypt. The name means 'Mound of Shards' after the piles of broken pottery jars found at the entrance, left by mourners who ate a farewell meal and broke their dishes before leaving. Visitors descend a spiral staircase carved around a central shaft, originally used to lower bodies with ropes, into a rotunda leading to a vestibule, a banquet hall carved with stone benches, and a central burial chamber decorated with a striking blend of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman funerary imagery, including Anubis dressed as a Roman soldier. A visit typically takes 45 minutes to an hour, enough to walk the main chambers and the side corridors of adjoining tomb shafts. Lower levels of the catacombs remain flooded and closed to the public. Mornings are the coolest and least crowded time to visit, since the site is entirely underground and can feel close and warm once tour groups arrive later in the day. The dim lighting and narrow passages make the carved reliefs easier to photograph slowly rather than in a rush. The site sits a short walk from Pompey's Pillar, and the two are commonly visited together on the same outing in Karmouz.
| Admission | Adult EGP 200 (~$3.85) foreign visitors; EGP 30 (~$0.58) Egyptian/Arab nationals · Child EGP 100 (~$1.92) student rate |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily 9:00AM-5:00PM |
| Typical visit | 45-60 minutes |
| Best time | Morning, when the site is cooler and less crowded |
| Getting there | 15-minute taxi from downtown; a short walk from Pompey's Pillar |
| Address | Kom Al-Shoqafa Street, Karmouz, Alexandria 21599, Egypt |
Location
Kom Al-Shoqafa Street, Karmouz, Alexandria 21599, Egypt
31.1789, 29.8847 View on map
Highlights
- Spiral staircase descending around a central shaft used to lower the dead
- Burial chamber blending Egyptian, Greek, and Roman funerary imagery
- Anubis carved in the dress of a Roman soldier
- Large banquet hall carved with stone benches for funerary meals
Tips for visiting
- Visit in the morning when the underground chambers are cooler and less crowded
- Wear non-slip shoes since the stone stairways can be damp
- A local guide or the on-site information boards help explain the mixed Egyptian-Roman iconography
- Combine the visit with the nearby Pompey's Pillar, a five-minute walk away
- The lowest burial level is flooded and closed, so do not expect access beyond the main chambers
When to visit
Morning visits are cooler underground and avoid the larger tour groups that arrive by midday.
Accessibility
The site is accessed via a narrow spiral staircase with no elevator, and the underground chambers are not wheelchair accessible.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa take?
Most visitors spend 45 minutes to an hour exploring the main chambers and corridors.
Is photography allowed inside the catacombs?
Photography is generally allowed, though the dim lighting underground makes a steady hand or a phone with good low-light performance useful.
Is the site suitable for children?
Older children interested in history tend to find the site fascinating, but the narrow, dim, and sometimes damp underground passages may not suit very young children.