Pompey's Pillar, Alexandria (must see)

Pompey’s Pillar rises from the remains of the ancient Serapeum, once a major sanctuary dedicated to Serapis, the Greco-Egyptian god promoted under the Ptolemies. Its name comes from a medieval legend, not ancient history. Later European visitors linked it to Pompey, claiming his head had been placed on top after his murder in Egypt in 48 BC. In fact, the column honoured Emperor Diocletian after he restored Roman control in the late 3rd century AD.

The monument is impressive not only for its height, but for the engineering behind it. Its shaft was carved from a single piece of red Aswan granite weighing about 285 metric tons. With its base and Corinthian capital, the column rises nearly 27 metres, showing the scale of Roman engineering and ancient transport from Upper Egypt.

The base and surrounding ruins reveal a site built from many older layers. Reused pharaonic blocks, some bearing hieroglyphic inscriptions, were incorporated into the foundations, turning the structure into a visible patchwork of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman history. Nearby underground galleries are traditionally linked with the Serapeum’s scholarly role and with the so-called daughter library, an annex associated with the wider intellectual world of the ancient Great Library.

The Serapeum was destroyed in the late 4th century AD, during the campaign against pagan temples led by Bishop Theophilus. Walls, statues, and sacred spaces were destroyed, yet the column remained standing, likely because of its size and solid construction. Today, it stands beside two sphinxes and scattered fragments, offering visitors a clear view of ancient worship, imperial power, later legend, and reused stone.