Pompey’s Pillar

Pompey's Pillar

Pompey's Pillar is the tallest ancient monolithic column in the world, standing 26.85 meters high (including its base) and made from a single piece of red Aswan granite. Despite its name, the column has no connection to the Roman general Pompey; it was actually erected in 297 CE in honor of the Emperor Diocletian. Medieval Crusaders incorrectly attributed it to Pompey, and the name stuck.

The Serapeum

The pillar stands on the site of the ancient Serapeum of Alexandria, a magnificent temple complex dedicated to the god Serapis that was one of the greatest temples in the ancient world. Though the temple was destroyed in 391 CE, the pillar survived along with underground galleries that once housed part of the overflow collection from the Great Library of Alexandria. Sphinxes and other artifacts discovered at the site are displayed around the base of the column.

Visiting

The archaeological park surrounding the pillar offers views over Alexandria and provides context for understanding the ancient city's layout. The site is compact and easily visited in 30-45 minutes, making it a convenient stop on any Alexandria tour.