Alexandria, populated by more than 4 million people, was founded in 331 B.C. by Alexander the Great. It was the capital of Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine Egypt for almost 1,000 years. Rich in history, its urban heritage reflects today an Italian style from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, times that welcomed Greeks and other Europeans as well as novelists and poets who took interest in the city.
Today, its buildings are threatened by developers and a savage modernization. Activist groups, such as Save Alexandria and Gudran, try to protect their heritage through awareness campaigns, cultural initiatives and legal analysis.
