Once upon a time in Alexandria’s Antoniadis Gardens, every tree was perfectly pruned, and no leaf was left out of place or unswept. It was a space of tranquility and grace, where tall palms and flowering greenery lined beautifully, with heritage kept alive in the form of Greek-inspired sculptures. The Antoniadis Gardens are some of the oldest gardens, nestled close to the Mahmoudiya Canal in Alexandria, and presumably, one of the oldest in the world. Sources have traced its origins back to the Ptolemaic dynasty, which ruled over Egypt from 305 to 30 BC. The importance of Alexandria was truly cemented by Ptolemy I Soter who was the successor of Alexander the Great. Through him, Greek was localized as the city’s language, and their kings did not marry into Egyptian bloodlines. The gardens surround the Palais d’ Antoniadis, or Villa Antoniadis, an exclusive palace named after Sir John Antoniadis, a wealthy Alexandrian of Greek origins. The palace is considered a miniature of the Palace of Versailles in France. It is also surrounded by 120 acres (48 hectares) of greenery, divided into several sections which also include the Flower Gardens, the Zoological…
Alexandria’s Antoniadis Gardens: Between Historical Remembrance and Standing the Test of Time
September 21, 2022
