Pompey Pillar is a red granite column about 25 metres high in Alexandria, raised in 297 AD for the Roman emperor Diocletian. Despite its name it has no link to Pompey. It stands on the site of the Serapeum. Allow 30 to 45 minutes and check tickets and hours before you go.
It is the largest ancient monument left standing in Alexandria: a single shaft of Aswan red granite on a base, rising above the ruins of the Serapeum, a temple of the god Serapis. Two sphinx statues and underground galleries are also on the site.
Medieval travellers wrongly linked the column to Pompey, the Roman general killed in Egypt in 48 BC. An inscription on the base shows it was set up in 297 AD in honour of Diocletian. The Serapeum around it was a famous temple, later destroyed in the late 4th century.
It is on a low hill in the Karmouz district of Alexandria, near the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa.
About 30 to 45 minutes, or an hour and a half together with the catacombs.
Tickets are paid at the gate and the price and hours change. Check at the gate or on egymonuments.gov.eg.
Yes, as a short stop with the catacombs. The column is impressive, but the site is small, so do not plan a long visit.
Pompey Pillar is a quick, easy stop in Alexandria: see the column, the sphinxes and the ruins, then continue to the catacombs nearby.
Book a nearby tour: Cairo to Alexandria day trip from $60.
