The Bibliotheca Alexandrina is a symbol of rebirth. The ancient library, the greatest repository of knowledge in the classical world, perished many centuries ago. But in 2002, a new temple of knowledge opened on the same site—the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, an architectural masterpiece and cultural center of world significance.

The Legend of the Ancient Library

The ancient Library of Alexandria was founded around 300 BCE by Ptolemy I, one of Alexander the Great's generals. The mission was ambitious: to gather all the world's knowledge under one roof.

Collection methods were ruthless. Every ship...