Maktabat al-Iskandariya and its rising sun of stone and glass
Published on 09/18/2026 at 15:02 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Maktabat al-Iskandariya in Alexandria is a vast modern library and cultural complex whose tilted circular form rises beside the Mediterranean Sea, recalling the ancient Library of Alexandria in a contemporary structure. Completed in 2001 and officially opened in 2002, it was designed by Norwegian practice Snøhetta as an inclined disc that has become one of the most recognisable modern buildings in Egypt.
A tilted disc beside the Mediterranean
Maktabat al-Iskandariya stands on Alexandria’s Eastern Harbour, close to the historic centre and a short distance from the shoreline of the Mediterranean Sea, so the main building reads almost like a piece of the coastal landscape tilted up towards the water.Alexandria’s ancient harbour site The library’s main volume is a circular structure inclined towards the sea, giving the impression of a rising sun emerging from the ground and forming a distinctive profile against the low skyline around Shatby.massive cylinder emerging at a shallow angle
The disc itself spans around 160 m (525 ft) in diameter and reaches about 32 m (105 ft) above the surrounding plaza at its highest point, while also dropping several storeys below ground with a series of terraces and platforms beneath street level.160-metre diameter inclined circle One side of the structure is framed by a vast retaining wall of Aswan granite, whose surface is carved with thousands of characters drawn from writing systems across the world and across history, turning the outer face into a monumental inscription in stone.granite wall carved with characters
Inside one of the world’s largest reading halls
Below the tilted roof, Maktabat al-Iskandariya contains a multi-level reading room that has become one of the defining interior spaces of contemporary library design, with tiers stepping down from the entrance level to a lower floor plate deep within the disc.main reading hall with seven levels The main reading hall is arranged over seven cascading levels, combining areas for shelving with open desks and reference points, and providing seating for around 2,000 readers in a single continuous space.largest reading hall with 2,000 seats
The overall complex was planned to house millions of volumes of books on several floors, with the original design allowing for expansion up to around eight million volumes through compact storage and further shelving capacity.capacity for up to 8 million books Beyond the main hall, the library incorporates specialist collections including sections for rare manuscripts, maps and audiovisual material, as well as dedicated spaces for children and young people that reflect a broader educational mission alongside the core reference function.specialised libraries and collections
A contemporary revival of an ancient institution
The idea of creating Maktabat al-Iskandariya as a revival of the ancient Library of Alexandria emerged in the twentieth century, when historian Mostafa El-Abbadi proposed rebuilding a major library institution in the city as a way of reconnecting with its classical heritage.proposal by Mostafa El-Abbadi An international architectural competition launched in 1989 was won by Snøhetta, and detailed archaeological work was carried out on the chosen site before construction began in the mid-1990s.international competition won by Snohetta
Construction of the new library complex was completed in 2001 and the institution was officially inaugurated on 16 October 2002, giving Alexandria a major research centre and cultural hub facing the sea.completed in 2001 and opened in 2002 The wider complex includes museums, exhibition spaces, a conference centre and a planetarium, making Maktabat al-Iskandariya not only a place for academic work but also a venue for public events, science outreach and cultural exhibitions that extend beyond the reading rooms.museums, galleries and planetarium
Visiting Maktabat al-Iskandariya: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Maktabat al-Iskandariya stands in the Shatby district of Alexandria beside the Eastern Harbour, with the Corniche coastal road running near the complex and Alexandria University on its inland side.
- The site is largely level at plaza height, but visiting the main reading hall involves moving between several interior levels connected by ramps, staircases and escalators.
- The official language is Arabic and the currency is the Egyptian pound.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
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Frequently asked questions about Maktabat al-Iskandariya
Where is Maktabat al-Iskandariya located in Alexandria?
Maktabat al-Iskandariya is located in the Shatby district on Alexandria’s Eastern Harbour, facing the Mediterranean Sea and lying alongside the Alexandria University campus.
What can visitors expect inside the library complex?
Visitors encounter a vast multi-level reading hall with thousands of seats, specialist libraries, museums, exhibition spaces and a planetarium, all housed within the distinctive tilted disc and adjoining buildings.
What makes Maktabat al-Iskandariya distinctive among modern libraries?
Its inclined circular form beside the sea, the granite wall inscribed with global scripts and the enormous terraced reading hall together give Maktabat al-Iskandariya a character that links contemporary architecture with Alexandria’s ancient library heritage.
