Library of Alexandria She is Wanderlust

The Library of Alexandria

A tribute to the ancient world’s greatest library

The original Library of Alexandria wasn’t just any library — it was the most famous library of the ancient world. Founded in the 3rd century BCE by the Ptolemaic dynasty, it was meant to house every book ever written, collecting works from Greece, Egypt, India, Persia, and beyond. At its peak, it’s believed to have held up to 400,000 to 700,000 scrolls — a staggering amount of knowledge for its time.

Scholars from all over the Mediterranean came to study, translate, and preserve texts here. It was more than a building; it was a symbol of human curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge.

But, as with many ancient wonders, the original Library’s story ends in tragedy. Its destruction — possibly caused by a series of events including fires, wars, and political turmoil — remains one of history’s greatest cultural losses.

History of the Ancient Library of Alexandria

Founded in the early 3rd century BCE by Ptolemy I Soter (a general of Alexander the Great), the library was part of a larger institution called the Mouseion — a temple to the Muses and a place for scholarly research and learning.

Its goal was nothing short of collecting all the knowledge in the world. To do this, the Ptolemies reportedly sent agents to buy or copy every known manuscript, even seizing scrolls from ships docking at Alexandria’s port. The library is believed to have held anywhere from 400,000 to 700,000 scrolls, covering philosophy, science, literature, medicine, mathematics, and more — many of them irreplaceable.

What Happened to the Library?

Despite its fame, the exact fate of the library remains one of history’s great mysteries. Rather than a single event, its destruction likely happened in several stages over centuries:

Around 48 BCE, Julius Caesar accidentally set fire to part of the city during his civil war with Pompey. Some accounts say the fire spread to the library’s storage facilities, destroying thousands of scrolls.

In the 3rd century CE, Emperor Aurelian’s siege of Alexandria may have caused further damage, especially to the area where the library was located.

Later, in 391 CE, Christian mobs destroyed pagan temples, including the Serapeum, which housed a daughter library of the original. This may have marked the final major blow.

Finally, during the 7th century CE, Arab conquerors arrived, and while some stories claim they finished the destruction, most historians believe the library had already long since ceased to exist by then.

In the end, the gradual decline of political support, religious shifts, and military conflicts likely led to the slow unraveling of what was once the most ambitious repository of human knowledge ever built.

Reimagining the Library for the Modern World

In 2002, nearly 2,000 years after the original library vanished, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina opened its doors. Built just a short distance from the presumed location of the ancient library, it stands as a tribute to Alexandria’s scholarly legacy.

This striking, futuristic building was designed by Norwegian architects and features a giant slanted disc structure meant to symbolize the rising sun of knowledge. The outer walls are engraved with letters and scripts from over 120 languages, reminding visitors that this is a place for everyone.

What’s Inside the Modern Library of Alexandria?

The new library can hold up to 8 million books and offers:

  • A massive open reading room spanning 11 levels — one of the largest in the world
  • Several museums and permanent exhibitions, including ones on manuscripts, science, and Egyptian history
  • Planetarium and conference center
  • Art galleries and temporary exhibits
  • Collections of digital media, rare books, and even 3D scanning technology
Modern Library of Alexandria

Location

Hours

Sunday to Thursday, 10 AM – 7 PM; reduced hours Friday & Saturday

Entrance Fee

~70 EGP ($3) for foreigners; discounts available for students

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I decided to book a couple tours when I went to Egypt and had a blast! I’m leaving the link to the tour below in case you are interested!

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