Cavafy Museum
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Overview
4 Sharm El Sheikh Street, off Sharia Nabi Danial AlexandriaThe poet Constantine Cavafy (1863-1933) was born to Greek parents but spent most of his life in Alexandria. This small museum is housed in the flat where he spent the last 25 years of his life.
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Description
The poet Constantine Cavafy (1863-1933) was born to Greek parents but spent most of his life in Alexandria. This small museum is housed in the flat where he spent the last 25 years of his life in Lepsius Street - now renamed "Charm El Sheik" after the site at the entrance of the Bay of Aquaba.
After Cavafy's death in 1933, his apartment was turned into a cheap hostel. A museum of sorts was later created on the upper floor of the Greek Consulate General within the Hellenic Quarter of Chatby, Alexandria. Although the poet's furniture had all been sold by his heirs, his library was saved by the eminent Cavafologist Prof. George Savidis.
The Cavafy International Committee leased the poet's apartment in 1991 and the Cavafy Museum opened to the public on November 16th 1992. With the help of Cavafy's friends, the apartment has been given some of the "atmosphere" of his life - photographs were used to help in the reconstruction of the furniture and the general surroundings.
Some of the rooms are arranged as they would have been when he lived there- the display of possessions includes his bed, desk, death mask, rare editions of his books as well as some of his letters. Cavafy is buried in the Greek cemetery nearby.
Another room in the small museum is devoted to one of Cavafy’s students, the Greek writer Statis Tsirkas (1911-81).
A place of pilgrimage even before its transformation into a museum, Cavafy's last home is considered a "must" for all visitors to Alexandria.
The Cavafy Museum is run under the auspices of the Cultural Section of the Greek Embassy in Cairo.
Hours of work
Tues -Sun 10.00 - 15.00
Thurs & Sun 10.00 - 17.00
Photo Gallery
