Cisterns of Alexandria

Cisterns of Alexandria are wonders of nature and human endeavor. In recent years, the discovery of artifacts beneath the waters of the Alexandria coastline have made big headlines and have instantly become places of tourist attraction. Excavations have unearthed a labyrinth of cisterns that supplied the citizens of ancient Alexandria fresh water.

Features of Cisterns of Alexandria

Alexandria had to depend on reserving water in underground reservoirs for its supply of fresh water.

The reservoirs were constructed underground in order to keep the water from draining underground and to cover and filter it.

This water used to reach Alexandria during the Roman era through a watercourse that extended from Shidia.

These reservoirs were in extensive used in Egypt towards the end of the Ptolemaic age and in particular during the reign of Julius Caesar.

These reservoirs increased in number and size during the Roman age and the Arab age as well as in subsequent eras.

By the time of the French Campaign on Egypt, there have been 308 reservoirs in Alexandria alone. In 1872, around 700 reservoirs were recorded.

Time wrecked havoc on these reservoirs reducing the number of surviving reservoirs to of which only two can be visited. These are the Shalalat Reservoir and the Nabi Daniel Reservoir.

All the reservoirs were not connected to the canal that transferred water to Alexandria.

Some of these were filled independently with water through some machines that were fixed to the openings of big wells and through spring waters.

The Shalalat Reservoir is also called Waterfalls Reservoir or Ibn El Nabeh cistern which is located in the Shalalat area on the Shaheed Salah Mustapha Street.

It is considered as the only reservoir that retains its original architecture without any change.

It is located on a surface area of 200 meters and consists of three underground floors as well as a rare collection of diverse pillars and crowns.

The Shalalat Reservoir is of the latter type. This reservoir is one of the biggest to be seen.

It is square-shaped and consists of three floors and divided vertically and horizontally into five parts by granite pillars that vary in shape and form.

It is estimated that this reservoir was probably built towards the end of the Roman age.

The fact that the reservoir features different architectural styles proves that it had been through several restorations during later eras.