On Friday, August 23, 2025, the National Museum of Alexandria inaugurated a landmark exhibition titled “Secrets of the Sunken City”, organized by Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. The showcase brings to light breathtaking archaeological finds retrieved from the depths of the Mediterranean—objects that defy time and reveal hidden facets of ancient civilization.
The opening was attended by high-ranking officials, including Minister of Tourism Sharif Fathy and Alexandria’s Governor Ahmed Khaled, along with press delegations from Egypt and abroad.
During a press conference, Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, emphasized that this marks the first temporary exhibition in Egypt dedicated entirely to underwater archaeology, and it will remain open for six months.
Rare statues discovered in the depths of the Mediterranean Sea are on display at the "Secrets of the Sunken City" exhibition, Alexandria, Egypt, Aug. 20, 2025. (AA Photo)
The display features 86 rare artifacts spanning different historical eras, gathered from multiple sites across Egypt. Most prominently, the finds come from underwater excavations in the Abu Qir Bay, north of Egypt, conducted since 2000 under the direction of the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology. In addition, the collection includes discoveries from the fabled Royal Palaces that lie submerged in Alexandria’s ancient harbor.
Among the highlights are statues, pottery, and exquisite jewelry—artifacts that reflect the cultural identity and artistic mastery of civilizations that thrived millennia ago in once-vibrant Mediterranean cities, now resting beneath the waves.
According to Egyptian media, more underwater treasures are expected to be recovered from Abu Qir Bay in the coming days.
Artifacts discovered in the depths of the Mediterranean Sea are on display at the "Secrets of the Sunken City" exhibition, Alexandria, Egypt, Aug. 20, 2025. (AA Photo)
This exhibition opens a rare and mesmerizing window into the ancient past, illuminating monumental chapters of history that remained hidden beneath the sea for centuries—silent, forgotten, and now vividly alive once more.
