Caesareum of Alexandria

The Caesareum of Alexandria is an ancient temple in Alexandria, Egypt. It was started by Cleopatra VII, the last pharaoh of the Ptolemaic kingdom in ancient Egypt. She built it to honor important people in her life, like her lover Julius Caesar or later Mark Antony. After Cleopatra and Mark Antony lost, the Roman emperor Augustus finished the temple and dedicated it to himself.

Over time, the Caesareum changed purpose. In the late 4th century, it became a Christian church. It was an important place for religious leaders, including Cyril of Alexandria, who served as the Patriarch of Alexandria.

Much of the Caesareum has disappeared, but some parts stayed until the 1800s. Two famous ancient stone pillars called Cleopatra's Needles that once stood in the temple are now in Central Park in New York City and near the Thames Embankment in London. Modern underwater explorations led by Franck Goddio and the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology (IEASM) have helped historians learn more about this amazing old building.

Today, a large statue of Saad Zaghloul, a leader from Egypt's history, stands where the Caesareum once was. It reminds people of both the ancient and modern history of Alexandria.