Caesareum of Alexandria: Lost temple of Julius Caesar buried under modern city. Alexandria was the classical world's second greatest city after Rome with 500,000 inhabitants, a great library, and lighthouse The Caesareum was a temple dedicated to the deified Julius Caesar surrounded by a vast colonaded precinct The precinct included libraries, banqueting halls, groves, and courts
Alexandria ranked as the ancient world's second greatest city after Rome, home to 500,000 people, a legendary library, and famous lighthouse. Here stood the Caesareum—a temple honoring deified Julius Caesar with grand colonnades, libraries, and banquet halls. Two massive 200-ton obelisks from Heliopolis (Cleopatra's Needles) once flanked its entrance; one now stands in London's Victoria Embankment, the other in NYC's Central Park. Yet the temple itself lies buried beneath Alexandria—guests at the Hotel Metropole literally sleep above its ruins, and the ancient metropolis remains largely hidden under apartments, hotels, and warehouses.
Key Facts
- Alexandria was the classical world's second greatest city after Rome with 500,000 inhabitants, a great library, and lighthouse
- The Caesareum was a temple dedicated to the deified Julius Caesar surrounded by a vast colonaded precinct
- The precinct included libraries, banqueting halls, groves, and courts
- Two 200-ton obelisks from Heliopolis (Cleopatra's Needles) framed the entrance
- One obelisk was moved to London in the 19th century, the other to New York
- Colossal foundations were glimpsed in the late 19th century but the site was then built over
- Guests at the Hotel Metropole sleep directly above the ruins of the Caesareum
- The ancient city remains largely covered by modern apartments, hotels, and warehouses
Source: 5 Incredible Roman Ruins (we're still looking for) by toldinstone