The Cemeteries of Alexandria

1. The Alexandria and Mediterranean Research Center The Cemeteries of Alexandria The Untold Narratives Of A Cosmopolitan City Prepared by: Sahar Hamouda YasserAref Bibliotheca Alexandrina September 2006

2. The Alexandria and Mediterranean Research Center Introduction One of the visible manifestations of Alexandria’s cosmopolitanism is its cemeteries. In Chatby alone there is the Necropolis, which dates to the late Ptolemaic/early Roman periods. In the twentieth century, the area of Chatby became the hub of the cosmopolitan experience. There was (and remains) a massive concentration of community schools, welfare foundations, hospitals and cemeteries. Even though there was also segregation, there was also a huge representation of the diversity and pluralism of Alexandrian society. This is vividly expressed in the cemeteries. In addition to the ancient Necropolis, the modern city boasted, in Chatby, cemeteries for the following: Jews, Muslims, Anglicans, Copt Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, Syrian Catholic, Armenian Catholic and Latin Catholic. There were also cemeteries for the Free Thinkers, those who would not confess to any faith. In addition to the Chatby complex, the Muslim inhabitants of old Alexandria had a burial site near Pompey’s Pillar, where certain families continue to bury their dead. Finally, the Alamein cemeteries honor the fallen at the Battle of Alamein in World War II, and bear monumental witness to the futility of war. A close study of these three burial sites (Chatby, Pompey’s Pillar and Alamein) will involve both the tangible and intangible heritage of Alexandria. Through an examination of the architectural styles of the monuments and tombs, as well as the oral narratives and memories of concerned individuals, certain patterns regarding migration, social history, class distinctions and status and religious traits will emerge. A map of the socio-religious history of modern Alexandria can be drawn.

3. The Alexandria and Mediterranean Research Center Structure I- History The presentation will investigate the following points: II- Development III- Faith & Ethnicity IV- War Cemeteries V- Art & Architecture VI- Typology VII- Social Aspects IX- The Cemeteries Today

4. The Alexandria and Mediterranean Research Center I - History Eastern Necropolis Western Necropolis Plan of Ancient Alexandria Drawn by Mahmoud El Falaki, 1866

5. The Alexandria and Mediterranean Research Center I - History Kom el-Shoqafa Catacombs Qabbari Catacombs Chatby Necropolis

6. The Alexandria and Mediterranean Research Center II - Development Europeans cemeteries Jewish cemeteries Moslem cemeteries Plan of Alexandria by Murray, 1907

7. The Alexandria and Mediterranean Research Center II - Development Location Sidi Bishr Dhahria Chatby Manara El Amoud El Dekhela El Alamein El Nasseria

8. The Alexandria and Mediterranean Research Center II – Development The Chatby Area Christian Cemeteries Jewish Cemeteries French War Cemeteries Manara Muslim Cemeteries British War Cemeteries

9. The Alexandria and Mediterranean Research Center III – Faith & Ethnicity Catholic Greek Jews Orthodox Syrian Christians Armenian Maronite Muslims Copts Free Thinkers

10. The Alexandria and Mediterranean Research Center III – Faith & Ethnicity Chatby Cemeteries • Free Thinkers Cemetery • Anglican Community Cemetery • Copt Orthodox Cemetery • New British Protestant Cemetery • War Memorial Cemetery 1914 -1918 • Egyptian Greek Orthodox Cemetery • Armenian Orthodox Cemetery • Armenian Catholic Cemetery • Greek Community Cemetery • Cimetière Latin de Terre Sainte • French War Cemetery • Cimetière Latin de Terre Sainte • Greek Catholic Cemetery • Greek Community Cemetery • Egyptian Greek Orthodox Cemetery • Old British Protestant Cemetery • Egyptian Copts Orthodox Cemetery المدافن القديمة للاقباط الارثوذكس - كنيسة الشهيد العظيم مار جرجس الرومانى بالشاطبى – تأسست 1882) • Jewish Cemetery 1 18 3 2 4 5 17 6 16 7 15 8 14 9 13 10 11 12

11. The Alexandria and Mediterranean Research Center III – Faith & Ethnicity Christian Cemeteries

12. The Alexandria and Mediterranean Research Center III – Faith & Ethnicity Jewish Cemeteries

13. The Alexandria and Mediterranean Research Center III – Faith & Ethnicity Muslim Cemeteries ( El Amoud)

14. The Alexandria and Mediterranean Research Center British War Cemeteries

15. The Alexandria and Mediterranean Research Center French War Cemeteries

16. El Alamein War Cemeteries The Alexandria and Mediterranean Research Center

17. The Alexandria and Mediterranean Research Center V – Art and Architecture

18. The Alexandria and Mediterranean Research Center V – Art and Architecture

19. The Alexandria and Mediterranean Research Center V – Art and Architecture

20. The Alexandria and Mediterranean Research Center VI – Typology III- Monumental I- Mausoleum (shrine) Tomb of the Unknown Soldier II- Graveyards British War Memorial

21. The Alexandria and Mediterranean Research Center VII – The Social Aspect Family Histories “The Greek Tamvaco family settled in Alexandria since the first years of the 19th century when my ancestor George Tamvaco, from Chios, was made hostage by the Turks and executed in Constantinople in 1823. Namely, the presently so called L'Atelier of rue Fouad, Alexandria used to be the residence of my great grandfather who had it built by an Italian architect in circa 1874-5. It was known as the Palais Tamvaco before it was sold to the Karam family before the First World War.” Menasce Anastasy Salvago Tamvaco Sursock

22. The Alexandria and Mediterranean Research Center VII – The Social Aspect Gravestones

23. The Alexandria and Mediterranean Research Center VII – The Social Aspect Distinguished Figures Constantine P. Cavafy,1863-1933

24. The Alexandria and Mediterranean Research Center VII– The Social Aspect Distinguished Figures Sayed Darwich, 1892 -1932

25. The Alexandria and Mediterranean Research Center VII– The Social Aspect The Royal Tombs Said Pacha, 1862 Map of Nebi Daniel Street, 1878 Royal tomb of the Khedive Family

26. The Alexandria and Mediterranean Research Center VII – The Social Aspect Visits and Memories

27. The Alexandria and Mediterranean Research Center VII – The Social Aspect Visits and Memories

28. The Alexandria and Mediterranean Research Center VII – The Social Aspect Writings For Christ our God has transferred us from death to life, and from earth to heaven." For Christ our God has transferred us from death to life, and from earth to heaven." كل نفس ذائقة الموت تذكر أنك من التراب و إلى التراب تعود

29. The Alexandria and Mediterranean Research Center IX – The Cemeteries Today Vandalism and Decay

30. The Alexandria and Mediterranean Research Center IX– The Cemeteries Today Densification

31. The Alexandria and Mediterranean Research Center IX – The Cemeteries Today Damage due to Rising Sub-soil Water Table

32. The Alexandria and Mediterranean Research Center IX – The Cemeteries Today Assault and Invasive Development

33. The Alexandria and Mediterranean Research Center IX – The Cemeteries Today Assault and Invasive Development

34. The Alexandria and Mediterranean Research Center IX – The Cemeteries Today Assault and Invasive Development