What’s Inside the Bibliotheca Alexandrina? (Not Just Books!)

What’s Inside the Bibliotheca Alexandrina? (Not Just Books!)

When people enter any library, most people are going they always think it is a bunch of books, quiet rooms where people are studying and reading books, and telling others to hush. But the Bibliotheca Alexandrina crushes the look or imagination of the average library. The library is a historic place, a showcase of creativity and artistic expression.

An ancient wonder came back to life.

• The old library

The old Bibliotheca Alexandrina was established in the 3rd BCE and it was one greatest centers of learning in the ancient world. The library was home to many books, poetry, and scrolls. The library has attracted many scholars and scientists. 

• The burning of the library

The library was unfortunately burned by Julius Caesar during the civil war in 48 BC Its loss has become one of the greatest cultural tragedies in history.

• The renovation of the Library

The idea of the renovation of the Library was in 1974, as construction began in 1995, and in 2002 it was completed and introduced as a revival of a historic ancient building.

A cultural Landmark

• The size of the Library

At the size of 20,000 square feet as it can contain up to 8 million books, with 11 terraced levels, which allows the sunlight to light up the library naturally.

• Discover the six specialized Libraries of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina

The Bibliotheca Alexandrina consists of six specialized libraries: the Arts and Multimedia Library, the Taha Hussein Library for the visually impaired, the Children's Library, the Young People's Library, the Exchange and Archive Section, and the Rare Books Section. 

History lives here

The Bibliotheca Alexandrina houses four museums.

• The Sadat Museum

The Sadat Museum is dedicated to the late Egyptian president. Before going inside the Museum, visitors get to watch Culturama about President El Sadat. The museum has many precious objects that belong to President El Sadat as medals and decorations awarded to him, and among those objects is the blood-stained military suit he was wearing on the day of his assassination on 6 October 1981. 

• The manuscripts museum

The manuscripts museum is related to the cultural outreach sector, containing rare and historical texts. 

• The Antiquities Museum

The Antiquities Museum is one of the few museums in the world that displays artifacts discovered at the same location as the museum. 

• The History of Science Museum

Lastly, the History of Science Museum is different from traditional museums as it contains several activities with interactive activities for children to learn more, as well as a homage to several scientists. 

Art Exhibitions & Collections

• Showcasing Culture with over 7000 artworks

The Bibliotheca Alexandrina's Art Exhibitions and Collections Department oversees the display and preservation of more than 7,000 artworks. Many of these items are displayed all over the walls of the library. 

• Igniting Creativity

The Library has created specialized art exhibitions to teach people more about the visual arts and make them more appreciative. Over fourteen exhibitions were created, making sure it covers many aspects of art; from painting, to ceramics, sculpture, calligraphy, heritage, set design, costume design, cinematography, art print, and artist’s book. All of this has contributed heavily to the experience.

At the end of the blog, we hope that we have helped discover more about the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. It is an iconic place that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. Put the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in your plans next time you visit Alexandria. Don’t forget to check out the rest of our blog posts!