JEWISH ALEXANDRIA · NABI DANIEL STREET · HISTORIC SYNAGOGUE

Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue Alexandria

Step inside one of Alexandria’s most important surviving Jewish landmarks, where a five-aisle basilical interior, marble prayer platform and historic Torah collection preserve a remarkable chapter of the city’s multicultural story.

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LOCATION Ras El Tin · Al Gomrok

TYPE Historic Synagogue

PERIOD Current Building · 1881

DURATION 45–60 Minutes

LAYOUT House-Like Tombs

BEST FOR Archaeology & Hidden Gems

A SURVIVING CHAPTER OF COSMOPOLITAN ALEXANDRIA

Why Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue Matters

Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue stands on Nabi Daniel Street in central Alexandria. Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities dates the current building to 1881 and describes it as one of the city’s oldest and best-known Jewish temples.

The building follows a basilical plan divided into five aisles, with the central aisle the largest. The main entrance is on the western side, with additional entrances on the north and south.

At the eastern side is the sanctuary, including a marble bimah used for prayer and preaching. The sacred ark preserves a large collection of Torah scrolls written on leather and paper and kept in decorated cases.

1881 Landmark

House-Like Design

Unlike a constructed monument, the Eliyahu Hanavi synagogue was shaped directly from the limestone bedrock of Giza.

Five-Aisle Architecture

The basilical plan, columns and long central aisle create one of Alexandria’s most impressive historic religious interiors.

Historic Alexandria

The stela of Thutmose IV between the paws records a royal story that revived the monument’s sacred importance.

Off the Main Route

The Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue forms part of the UNESCO property of Memphis and its Synagogue, including the pyramid fields from Giza to Dahshur.

EXPLORE ELIYAHU HANAVI TOMBS

10 Highlights Inside Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue

The present synagogue building dates to 1881 and remains one of Alexandria’s best-known Jewish monuments.

A GRAND RESTORED WORSHIP SPACE

Grand Nave

NaveRestored Interior

A wide, high-resolution view of the restored synagogue interior introduces the scale and symmetry of the main worship space.

Official Visitor Information →

THE FIVE-AISLE BASILICAL PLAN

Five-Aisle Basilica

PlanFive Aisles

The Ministry describes the synagogue as a basilical building divided into five aisles, with the central aisle the largest.

Official Visitor Information →

THE MARBLE PRAYER PLATFORM

Marble Bimah

BimahMarble Feature

The eastern sanctuary includes the marble bimah used for prayer and preaching, one of the building’s defining liturgical features.

Official Visitor Information →

THE HISTORIC SACRED COLLECTION

Torah Scrolls

TorahLeather & Paper Scrolls

Historic Torah scrolls connect the architecture with the living religious heritage preserved inside the synagogue.

Official Visitor Information →

VIEW FROM THE UPPER GALLERY

Women’s Gallery

GalleryUpper-Level View

A view from the ladies’ floor reveals the synagogue from above and shows the relationship between the gallery and main hall.

Official Visitor Information →

LIGHT ACROSS THE MAIN HALL

Interior Lighting

LightingHistoric Lamps

Hanging lamps and chandeliers add another visual layer to the long interior and its ceremonial atmosphere.

Official Visitor Information →

MEMORY OF COMMUNITY LIFE

Historic Library

LibraryBooks & Records

Books preserved in the synagogue library recall the intellectual and communal life associated with Alexandria’s Jewish community.

Official Visitor Information →

COLUMNS, ARCHES & RESTORATION

Restored Interior

InteriorRestored Detail

A high-resolution restored interior view highlights the arches, columns and decorative rhythm of the building.

Official Visitor Information →

ON NABI DANIEL STREET

Nabi Daniel Exterior

ExteriorCentral Alexandria

The exterior places the synagogue in its urban setting on Nabi Daniel Street in the heart of central Alexandria.

Official Visitor Information →

A WINDOW INTO THE PAST

Historic Interior View

ArchiveHistoric Photograph

An earlier interior photograph provides a useful visual contrast with the restored building visitors see today.

Official Visitor Information →

BEFORE YOU GO

Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue: Everything You Need to Know

Eliyahu Hanavi is a compact archaeological stop, but its historic layout and coastal setting reward visitors who arrive knowing what to look for.

ACCESS

Open Archaeological Site

The Ministry lists Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue among archaeological sites open to visitors in Alexandria.

BEST VISITING TIME

Morning

A morning visit gives you time to combine Eliyahu Hanavi with the nearby Qaitbay and Bahary area.

RECOMMENDED DURATION

Allow 45–60 Minutes

Around an hour is enough to descend, examine the principal spaces and understand the heritage layout.

OFFICIAL HOURS

Currently 08:00–17:00

The Ministry currently lists regular visiting hours as 08:00 to 17:00, with the last entry one hour before closing. Recheck before travel.

SITE CHARACTER

historic & Below Ground

Expect stairs and below-ground archaeological spaces rather than a conventional museum visit.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Focus on Architecture

The entrance, open court, chamber sequence and surviving details are the most useful visual story of the site.

CONSERVATION

Groundwater Matters

The Ministry notes that groundwater and proximity to the sea have affected many of the synagogue.

ESSENTIAL TIP

Pair It with Bahary

Combine the synagogue with Qaitbay Citadel and Abu Al-Abbas Al-Mursi Mosque for a strong western-Alexandria route.

Travel note: Opening hours and accessible areas can change. Reconfirm current Ministry information before travel.

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR VISIT

Explore Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue with an Alexandria Guide

Turn a quiet archaeological stop into a clear story of Historic heritage customs, house-like synagogue design and Alexandria’s coastal landscape.

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DID YOU KNOW?

4 Reasons Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue Is Special

Architecture, sacred heritage and Alexandria’s multicultural history come together in one remarkable building.

Historic

1881 Present Building

The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities dates the current synagogue structure to 1881.

2 Rooms

Five-Aisle Basilica

The building follows a basilical plan divided into five aisles, with the central aisle the largest.

historic

Marble Bimah

The eastern sanctuary contains a marble bimah associated with prayer and preaching.

Coastal

Historic Torah Collection

The sacred ark contains Torah scrolls written on leather and paper and kept in decorated cases.

EGYPT TOURS & EXPERIENCES

Add Jewish Alexandria to Your Egypt Journey

Three different programme styles from the ETC portfolio. Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue is presented as a requestable Alexandria addition unless specifically confirmed in the itinerary.

ALEXANDRIA DAY TRIP

PRIVATE · EGYPT · TAILORABLE

Alexandria Day Tour from Cairo

Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue can be requested as an Alexandria heritage stop, subject to itinerary timing and current access arrangements.

View Alexandria Day Tour

ANCIENT EGYPT LEGACY

PRIVATE · EGYPT · TAILORABLE

Egypt Museums & Heritage Tour

Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue can be requested as an Alexandria heritage stop, subject to itinerary timing and current access arrangements.

View Museums & Heritage Tour

WOMEN-ONLY EGYPT

PRIVATE · EGYPT · TAILORABLE

Live Like a Local Egypt Tour

Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue can be requested as an Alexandria heritage stop, subject to itinerary timing and current access arrangements.

View Live Like a Local Tour

CONTINUE EXPLORING

What to See Near Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue

Build a compact Alexandria route with four live ETC attraction pages close to or naturally combined with Eliyahu Hanavi.

Approx. 5–10 Minutes

Kom El Dikka

Combine Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue with Kom El Dikka for a richer central Alexandria route.

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Approx. 5–10 Minutes

Greco-Roman Museum

Combine Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue with Greco-Roman Museum for a richer central Alexandria route.

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Approx. 10–15 Minutes

Alexandria National Museum

Combine Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue with Alexandria National Museum for a richer central Alexandria route.

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Approx. 15–20 Minutes

Alexandria Corniche

Combine Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue with Alexandria Corniche for a richer central Alexandria route.

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Explore All Alexandria Excursions

FAQ

Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue Visitor Questions

Practical answers for understanding and planning a visit to this lesser-known Historic synagogue.

Where is Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue?

It is on Nabi Daniel Street in the Raml Station area of central Alexandria.

When was the present synagogue built?

Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities dates the current building to 1881.

What is special about its architecture?

It follows a basilical plan divided into five aisles, with the central aisle the largest.

What can I see inside?

Look for the long nave, columns and arches, marble bimah, sacred ark, Torah scrolls, galleries and restored decorative details.

How long should I allow?

Around 45–60 minutes is a comfortable planning range for a focused visit.

Are opening hours fixed?

The Ministry currently lists visiting times as according to the managing authority, so access should be checked before visiting.

Is photography allowed?

Follow the current on-site photography rules and staff instructions.

What should I wear?

Choose respectful clothing and behave appropriately because this is a historic religious site.

What can I combine it with nearby?

Kom El Dikka, the Greco-Roman Museum, Alexandria National Museum and the Corniche all work well in a central Alexandria day.

Where can I check official information?

Use the Official Visitor Information button in the Highlights section, which links to Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.