Alexandria: The Library of Alexandria stands as a significant cultural and intellectual institution, attracting approximately 1.5 million visitors annually. This modern library, which opened in October 2002 to revive the legacy of its ancient predecessor founded by Ptolemy II, functions as a global hub for knowledge, dialogue, and communication between civilizations.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the library’s vast collection includes around 2.6 million scholarly items, as well as electronic resources and manuscripts. The library’s rare books department is noteworthy, housing over 15,000 rare books, the oldest of which dates back to 1496, alongside 66,000 donated books from special collections. The main reading room is home to the Bulaq Press, which was the first Egyptian printing press, established in 1820.

The library complex’s architectural design, symbolizing the rising sun, features six specialized libraries, four museums, a planetarium, and 12 academic research centers. A striking gray granite mural, adorned with 4,200 symbols across 120 languages, reflects the library’s mission to promote language as a cornerstone of culture and as a means of global dialogue.