Overview

The BA Antiquities Museum is the first among all archeological Museums in the world that is located within a library. The initiative came from Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak, during one of her visits to the construction site of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. Mrs. Mubarak called for creating a committee to prepare the necessary studies to assemble a museum that would house the artifacts discovered at the construction site. A committee of archeologists was set up to develop a plan for the museum.

Mosaic Fresco discovered at the construction site of the library

The Museum's collection documents various epochs of Egyptian civilization dating from the Pharaonic era up to the Islamic period, including the Greek civilization that came to Egypt with the conquest of Alexander the Great. It was followed by the Roman and Coptic civilizations before Islam established itself in Egypt. The collection displays about 1079 pieces.

Part of the Museum

The Museum boasts the latest showcases, part of which is contributed by the Greek Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Culture, the J.F. Costopolous Foundation and the National Bank of Greece. Mrs. Anastasia Milopoulou, member of the Board for the Greek/Egyptian Friendship Leagues, was the fundraiser and coordinator of this project. The showcases, a part of which are Egyptian, the other donated, have been specially designed and constructed to meet technical museums specifications required for safety, security and lighting essential for the display of rare items. The Museum was designed by the Egyptian architect, Dr. Hussein Shaboury, while the artifacts were selected by the Egyptian historian, Dr. Moustafa El Abbadi, as well as a group of curators from the Supreme Council of Antiquities.