Marsa Matruh history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Marsa Matruh is rooted in deep antiquity. Initially, a small settlement from the time of the Pharaohs existed on this site, but it formed as a significant urban centre during the Ptolemaic era and Roman rule. In ancient sources, the city was known as Paraetonium. One of the first landmark events in its history was the visit of Alexander the Great: it is believed that it was from here that the great commander began his journey through the desert to the Siwa Oasis to meet the Oracle of Amun.

Key Factors of Development

The transformation of a small settlement into an important ancient port was driven by several factors:

• Unique Geography: The city is situated around a vast lagoon, protected from the open sea by a natural ridge of rocks. This created an ideal, safe harbour for ships.
• Strategic Location: Paraetonium served as a key link on the coastal route between the Nile Valley and Cyrenaica (the territory of modern Libya).
• Political Role: During the Roman period, the city acquired the status of an important outpost controlling Egypt's western borders and maritime trade routes.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The economy of early Marsa Matruh was based on maritime trade, fishing, and sheep farming. The port was used for exporting grain, salt, and dates from nearby oases. The cultural appearance of the city was formed under the influence of Greco-Roman traditions intertwined with the local way of life. The name of Queen Cleopatra is also closely linked to the city: according to historical legends, she used the local bay to anchor her fleet, and the famous "Cleopatra's Bath" remains a reminder of that era to this day.

Key Milestones in the History of Marsa Matruh

• 331 BC — Alexander the Great visits the settlement (then known as Amonia) before his famous expedition to the oracle in the Siwa Oasis.
• 1st Century BC — The city, under the name Paraetonium, becomes an important harbour and a place of residence for Queen Cleopatra VII and Mark Antony.
• Roman Period (30 BC – 641 AD) — Paraetonium flourishes as a key port for exporting grain and agricultural produce to Rome.
• 7th Century — With the arrival of Arab conquerors, the region integrates into the Islamic world, and the city gradually acquires its modern name.
• 1929 — Completion of the railway line from Alexandria, which reliably connected the remote port with the Nile Valley.
• 1936 — Completion of the paved coastal road construction, significantly simplifying access to the city.
• 1942 — During World War II, Field Marshal Erwin Rommel's field headquarters was located in the coastal cliffs.
• 1977 — Opening of the military history museum in Rommel's Cave, which became one of the city's main attractions.
• Late 20th Century — Marsa Matruh cements its status as the premier summer resort for Egyptian residents (the "Egyptian Maldives").
• 2005 — The city's airport receives international status, opening the region to direct charter flights from Europe.
• 2010s — Active development of tourism infrastructure and the construction of world-class hotels along the coast.

Stages of Transformation: From Port to Resort

The modern appearance of Marsa Matruh was formed thanks to a series of key infrastructural and economic decisions. Below are the main milestones that defined the city's development in the 20th and 21st centuries:

• Breaking Transport Isolation (1929). The launch of the railway line connecting the city with Alexandria and Cairo was a turning point. This event integrated the remote region into the national economy, simplified the delivery of goods, and gave the first impetus to mass passenger transport.
• Creating the Road Transport Framework (1930–1940s). The construction of a hard surface on the international coastal road turned the city into an important logistics hub on the way to Libya. For the city's economy, this meant the development of trade and roadside services.
• Confirmation of Administrative Centre Status. Becoming the capital of the Matruh Governorate gave the city an impulse for urban development. This led to the appearance of administrative buildings, schools, hospitals, and residential quarters for civil servants, turning a seasonal settlement into a fully-fledged city with year-round life.
• The "Summer Capital" Phenomenon (1980–1990s). During this period, Marsa Matruh's reputation as the main resort for the Egyptian middle class was finally solidified. The cultural significance of this stage is immense: the city became a symbol of family holidays for millions of Egyptians, which entailed rapid growth in the private sector, rental housing, and the restaurant business.
• International Aviation Expansion (2000s). Granting the airport international status and its modernization opened the region to foreign charters (predominantly from Italy and Eastern Europe). This economically diversified the city's income, reducing dependence solely on domestic tourism.
• Modernization of the City Corniche. The large-scale reconstruction of the city's main promenade in recent decades has changed its tourist appeal. The landscaping of the Corniche created a centre of attraction for evening life, souvenir shopping, and entertainment, enhancing the city's attractiveness to tourists.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The architecture of Marsa Matruh differs from the classic Egyptian cities of the Nile Valley. Here, you will not find the monumental temples of Luxor or the colonial luxury of central Cairo. The city's appearance is dictated by its function—first as a strategic port and military outpost, and then as the country's main summer resort. The urban development stretches along the coastline, following the shape of the natural bay.

Historical Layers and Styles

Several conditional architectural layers can be distinguished in the urban fabric, although many historical buildings suffered during World War II or were rebuilt during the rapid urbanization of the late 20th century.

• Ancient Heritage (Hidden): Visible buildings from the Ptolemaic or Roman eras have practically not survived in the city centre. The architecture of that period is represented mainly by archaeological zones and hydraulic structures (remains of ancient breakwaters, ruins of the Temple of Ramses II). A vivid example of adapting the natural landscape for the needs of the nobility of that era is the so-called Cleopatra's Bath (a natural rock basin with man-made elements).
• Functionalism and Military Architecture (Mid-20th Century): During World War II and afterwards, the development was of a strictly utilitarian nature. An example of using the landscape for military purposes is Rommel's Museum, equipped in a natural cave that was fortified and modified to house the headquarters.
• Neo-Islamic Style (Modernity): Mosques are the dominants of the cityscape. They are executed in a modern interpretation of traditional Islamic architecture, combining classic domes and minarets with modern materials (concrete, glass, tiles).
• Resort Modernism: The bulk of the development along the coast consists of multi-storey hotels and apartments (chalets). This style is characterized by simple forms, spacious balconies and terraces facing the sea, and the use of light colours in finishing for protection against the sun.

Iconic Structures

Despite the prevalence of standard buildings, Marsa Matruh has structures that form its recognizable silhouette:

• Sidi El-Awam Mosque: The most famous and beautiful building in the city. It is a striking example of modern Islamic architecture. The mosque is distinguished by two high minarets and a large central dome. Its snow-white facade with elegant ornamentation has become a symbol of the city. Located right by the Corniche, it serves as a main landmark for tourists.
• Railway Station: A building reflecting the importance of transport links with the Nile Valley. Although it has been modernized repeatedly, its structure retains features of the administrative architecture of the first half of the 20th century, characteristic of British influence in Egypt.
• City Corniche: This is not a single building, but an urban ensemble that is the "face" of the city. The wide promenade separating the city buildings from the beaches is designed in a modern style with landscaping elements, streetlights, and recreation zones, uniting scattered hotels into a single line.

Notable Figures in the History of Marsa Matruh

The history of the city is inextricably linked with the names of great rulers, commanders, and cultural figures who left their mark here or contributed to the prosperity of the region.

• Alexander the Great
  Role: King of Macedonia, great commander of antiquity.
  Significance: Considered the founder of the city in its Hellenistic form. In 331 BC, Alexander stopped here on his way to the Oracle of Amun in the Siwa Oasis, assessing the strategic potential of the harbour for supplying his army.
• Cleopatra VII Philopator
  Role: The last queen of Hellenistic Egypt.
  Significance: She used the city (then Paraetonium) as an important naval base and a place of rest. The legendary "Cleopatra's Bath"—a natural pool in the rocks where, according to legend, the queen bathed—remains one of the main tourist attractions.
• Erwin Rommel
  Role: German Field Marshal during World War II.
  Significance: Known as the "Desert Fox", he chose Marsa Matruh as the location for his field headquarters during the North African campaign. The cave where he developed battle plans has today been turned into a popular military history museum.
• Sidi El-Awam
  Role: Islamic righteous man, Sufi Sheikh.
  Significance: Revered as the spiritual patron of the city. The main mosque of Marsa Matruh, which is the architectural dominant of the Corniche, is named in his honour and built on the site of his burial.
• Leila Mourad
  Role: Famous Egyptian singer and actress of the "Golden Age".
  Significance: Played a huge role in transforming the city into a popular resort. Her hit "Ya Rayhin Matruh" ("Oh You Going to Matruh") became the unofficial anthem of the city, and one of the picturesque rocks on the coast bears her name.
• Justinian I
  Role: Byzantine Emperor.
  Significance: In the 6th century AD, he realized the importance of the city as the western outpost of the empire. By his order, the city was fortified with powerful walls and garrisons to protect Egypt from raids by nomadic tribes, which ensured the safety of trade routes.