Alexandria Naval Unknown Soldier Memorial

The Naval Unknown Soldier Memorial is a white marble colonnade with a central arch on the Corniche at Mansheya, honouring Egyptian navy men who died unidentified. It is free to view from the square, and Qaitbay is about 30 minutes away on foot.

Looking out over the Eastern Harbour at Mansheya is a sweeping white marble colonnade with a tall arch at its centre: the Memorial to the Unknown Naval Soldier. It commemorates sailors of the Egyptian navy who were killed on duty and never identified.

Alexandria's Italian community originally put the monument up in the first half of the 20th century as a tribute to Khedive Ismail. After the 1952 revolution it was given its present dedication and handed to the Egyptian Navy to look after. Sources do not agree on the exact dates.

An honour guard keeps watch, and the square in front, Midan el-Gondi el-Maghool, is one of the best-known meeting spots in town.

What to see

• The marble colonnade and central arch
• The honour guard
• The view across the Eastern Harbour towards Qaitbay

Visiting

• Access: free to see from the square and the Corniche
• Photography: generally fine from outside; ask before photographing the guards
• Getting there: tram or taxi to Mansheya
• Nearby: Cecil Hotel, Alexandria Corniche, Kom el-Dikka