The Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa

Descending a spiral staircase beneath Alexandria, the Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa form the largest known Roman-era burial complex in Egypt, cut deep into the rock across multiple levels. Their real wonder is the extraordinary blend of cultures carved into the walls: Egyptian gods rendered in Roman dress, Greek motifs, and jackals wearing legionnaire armour.

This fusion captures Alexandria at its cosmopolitan height, where Egyptian, Hellenic and Roman worlds met and mingled even in death. Winding chambers, a banqueting hall for funerary feasts, and eerie carved sentinels make the descent atmospheric and strange.

Rediscovered by chance, the catacombs are one of Alexandria's essential sights and a highlight for anyone fascinated by the ancient world's melting pot.