Planetarium Science Center, Alexandria

The Planetarium Science Center forms part of the wider Bibliotheca Alexandrina complex, adding a science-focused dimension to a place already linked with books, research, and cultural memory. Its dark spherical dome creates a clear visual contrast above the rectangular History of Science Museum. Seen from inside, the sphere appears almost suspended, linking the building’s design with the centre’s focus on science and the universe.

The centre also recalls the spirit of the ancient Mouseion, the 3rd-century BCE institution associated with scholarship, observation, and scientific inquiry. The ancient Mouseion was a research centre linked with Euclid and Eratosthenes. The modern planetarium echoes that legacy through dome shows and local productions, including Sky of Alexandria, the first full-dome planetarium show created in Africa and the Middle East.

Beyond the theatre, the centre includes interactive spaces designed for practical learning. After modernization, the ALEXploratorium was reorganized into three zones: Discover Yourself, Discover Your Environment, and Discover the Universe. Through experiments, models, and robotics programs linked to FIRST LEGO League, it presents modern science as a clear counterpart to the site’s ancient scholarly heritage.