Discovered accidentally in 1900 when a donkey fell through a hole in the ground, the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa form a three-tiered necropolis cut into the bedrock of the Karmouz district during the 2nd century CE, under Roman rule of Egypt. The name, meaning 'mound of shards,' comes from broken pottery discarded nearby by mourners who ate ritual funerary meals at the site. The tomb complex fuses Egyptian, Greek and Roman artistic traditions: the Main Tomb Chamber shows the god Anubis dressed as a Roman legionary and the crocodile god Sobek alongside serpent-form Agathodaemon guardians, all carved in a hybrid Egyptian-Hellenistic style unique to Alexandria. A central shaft with a spiral staircase descends past a triclinium, a stone banquet hall used for funerary meals, to a lower level of burial niches, while a separate wing known as the Hall of Caracalla contains animal burials, including horses. The third and lowest level remains flooded by groundwater and closed to visitors. Egypt's Ministry of Antiquities has installed dewatering pumps and shored up passageways since the 1990s to slow the site's ongoing exposure to rising groundwater, a persistent conservation challenge across Alexandria's below-ground antiquities.
| 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 |
| Address | Kom Al-Shoqafa Street, Karmouz, Alexandria 21599, Egypt |
Why it matters
Described by medieval Arab historians as one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages, the catacombs are the largest known Roman-era burial site in Egypt and a rare physical record of the blending of Egyptian, Greek and Roman funerary religion in the 2nd century CE.
Location
Kom Al-Shoqafa Street, Karmouz, Alexandria 21599, Egypt
31.1789, 29.8847 View on map
Highlights
- Main Tomb Chamber's fusion carvings of Anubis in Roman legionary armor
- Central spiral staircase descending three levels into the bedrock
- Triclinium funerary banqueting hall used for memorial meals
- Hall of Caracalla animal catacombs, including horse burials
- Serpent-entwined guardian reliefs flanking the tomb entrance
Tips for visiting
- Bring a flashlight or phone light, as some chambers are dimly lit
- Wear closed, sturdy shoes; stone steps are uneven and can be slippery
- Combine the visit with nearby Pompey's Pillar, a short walk away
- Allow 45-60 minutes for a full circuit of all accessible levels
- The flooded third level remains closed to visitors
Frequently asked questions
Is the site accessible with a wheelchair?
No, the site involves a spiral staircase and uneven rock-cut passages and is not wheelchair accessible.
How long does a full visit take?
A thorough visit of the accessible upper and middle levels takes about 45-60 minutes.
Can children visit?
Yes, though narrow stairways and low ceilings in some passages make it less suitable for very young children or strollers.
Are there English-language information panels?
Basic multilingual signage covers the entrance and key chambers, though a licensed guide provides more detail on the iconography.