Northwest of Alexandria, lies the site of Abu-Qir, where archaeologists have been exploring the sunken cities of Heracleion and Canopus since 1992. Besides being a prominent religious centre, the city of Heracleion was the main trading point on the Mediterranean in the 6th century. When they started diving this site, archaeologists discovered ruins of the temple of Heracleion which was dedicated to Amun and Heracles-Khonsu. They’ve also found giant statues of gods, Ptolemaic kings and their consorts, pottery, jewellery, and numerous wrecked wooden ships.
Canopus was the site where the goddess Isis was believed to have found the last part of Osiris's savaged body. Ancient Egyptians believed that Osiris was murdered by his jealous brother Seth, who scattered the dismembered parts of his body all over Egypt. According to Egyptian mythology, Isis succeeded in finding the scattered pieces and placed them in a vase which was kept at Canopus. The site, which has hundreds of Greco-roman amphorae, attests to the extensive trade connections between Egypt and the Roman Empire.
The City of Alexandria and numerous NGOs in cooperation with UNESCO are working on the project of building an underwater museum to showcase the artefacts to the public. Archeological dives to the site of the Sunken Cities of Abu-Qir can be arranged through the Montazah diving centre in Alexandria ((the only CDWS certified diving centre on the North Coast).
Browse through a list of certified diving centres in Alexandria.
Click to AddClick to Remove
Canopus was the site where the goddess Isis was believed to have found the last part of Osiris's savaged body. Ancient Egyptians believed that Osiris was murdered by his jealous brother Seth, who scattered the dismembered parts of his body all over Egypt. According to Egyptian mythology, Isis succeeded in finding the scattered pieces and placed them in a vase which was kept at Canopus. The site, which has hundreds of Greco-roman amphorae, attests to the extensive trade connections between Egypt and the Roman Empire.
The City of Alexandria and numerous NGOs in cooperation with UNESCO are working on the project of building an underwater museum to showcase the artefacts to the public. Archeological dives to the site of the Sunken Cities of Abu-Qir can be arranged through the Montazah diving centre in Alexandria ((the only CDWS certified diving centre on the North Coast).
Browse through a list of certified diving centres in Alexandria.
Click to AddClick to Remove
Nearby Attractions
-
Nelson’s Island
Littered potsherds. Faint wall outlines and structures. Forgotten graves. Great picnic sites.
Click to AddClick to Remove -
Fishing in the White Med
Samak mashwy (grilled fish) is the signature experience for all visitors to Egypt’s beautiful…
Click to AddClick to Remove -
Sehel Island
On Sehel Island, the timelessness of Nubian culture is there for you to discover.
Click to AddClick to Remove
-
Bird Watching
There are over 470 species of birds in Egypt. Over two thirds are migratory birds and one third…
-
Shopping
Egypt has so much to offer, and when it comes to shopping, she can be quite bountiful. There are…
