Excavated beginning in 1904, the Shatby Necropolis is among the earliest Greek burial grounds established in Alexandria, dating to the late 4th and early 3rd centuries BCE, shortly after the city's founding by Alexander the Great in 331 BCE. Located near what is now Alexandria University in the El Shatby district, the necropolis features hypogea, underground rock-cut tomb complexes, arranged around open courtyards in a style closely modeled on contemporary Greek funerary architecture from the Aegean world, making it a key site for understanding how the earliest Greek settlers in Alexandria transplanted their home traditions to Egyptian soil before more distinctly Alexandrian styles developed. The tombs include loculi, rectangular niches cut into chamber walls for individual burials, along with courtyards that likely once held funerary monuments now lost. Much of the site has been affected by the growth of modern Alexandria around it, and access is more limited than at other Alexandrian antiquities sites, typically requiring coordination with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in advance.
| Admission | Free where access is granted |
|---|---|
| Hours | Limited public access; visits typically arranged with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities |
| Address | El Shatby, near Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt |
Why it matters
As one of Alexandria's earliest Greek necropolises, the site documents the funerary customs of the city's first Hellenic settlers in the decades immediately following its founding by Alexander the Great.
Location
El Shatby, near Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
31.2074, 29.9186 View on map
Highlights
- Some of the earliest Greek-style hypogea tombs built in Alexandria after its founding
- Open courtyards modeled directly on Aegean Greek funerary architecture
- Loculi burial niches cut into the chamber walls
- Rare early evidence of Greek settlers' funerary customs in Ptolemaic Egypt
Tips for visiting
- Arrange access in advance through the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities or a licensed guide
- Visit as part of a guided Alexandria antiquities tour, since standalone access is limited
- Wear sturdy shoes for uneven excavated ground
Frequently asked questions
Can the public visit without special arrangements?
Access is limited and generally requires advance coordination with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities or a licensed local guide.
How long does a visit take?
Where access is granted, a visit typically takes about 30 minutes.
Is the site suitable for children?
The uneven excavated terrain makes it more suitable for older children accompanied by an adult.