ROMAN ODEON OF KÔM EL-DIKKA

The complex uncovered in 1960 at the site known as Kom el-Dikka, which means "the mound of the cock", comprises a Roman odeon, baths, dwellings and cisterns.

The odeon dates back to the ^2nd century A.D., but was destroyed and remodeled twice; the current version dates back to the ^4th century A.D. Today, only the lower part can be seen, consisting of a stage and white marble tiers. In the upper part, elements of the columns have been straightened; the semicircular boxes they housed have disappeared. A brick vault covered the entire edifice. During the Christian period, the odeon was transformed into a church, as attested by crosses carved into the stone blocks. An earthquake in the ^6th century put an end to its use.

The Roman thermal baths are very large. The water supply system demonstrates the city's mastery of hydraulic engineering.

The Villa of the Birds, at the eastern end of the site, contains splendid Roman mosaics from Hadrian's reign, including a mosaic depicting birds that adorned the floor of the triclinium.

The underwater museum, located at the entrance to the site, is made up of items found during the underwater excavations carried out by the Centre d'Etudes Alexandrines around the Qaïtbay citadel since 1995. These include the obelisk of Seti ^I and various sphinxes excavated from the remains of the lighthouse, including the superb Sphinx of Psammetichus.