The city of Rosetta or Rashid in Egypt is an enclave in the Mediterranean Sea, famous because it was here that the Rosetta stone was found, a key to the discovery of ancient Egypt. Rosetta is located about 65 km northeast of Alexandria.
In the Middle Ages, this was a very important site for trade due to its strategic location, this importance continued to increase with the construction of the Mahmudiyeh canal and the improvement of the port of Alexandria.
More with the decline of Alexandria itself after the Ottoman conquest of Egypt in the 16th century, it emerged. At that time, the decline of Alexandria served Rosetta to witness a flourishing that was stopped with the emergence of Alexandria again. By the 19th century, it had become a popular tourist destination among the English.
Where is Rosetta town is located?
Rosetta is a port city of the Nile Delta, 65 km (40 mi) east of Alexandria, in Egypt’s Beheira governorate.
History of Rosetta Egypt
The site of Rosetta was inhabited throughout the history of Ancient Egypt, then known as Rakhit, a hieratic word meaning “the populace”, under Menes reign.
In the Ptolemaic era, the town was renamed Bolbitine (Bolbitinum) the name of one of the seven mouths of the Nile in Herodotus).
The city of Rashid was called by this name in relation to the ancient Egyptian name “Rakhit”, which became Rashet later in the Coptic era when the Rosetta Stone was discovered in this city.
It is a stone thanks to which the symbols of the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic writing were dissolved, and Rashid was a governorate independent of the city of Alexandria before.
The Rosetta Stone
It’s impossible to talk about the town of Rosetta without mentioning the Rosetta Stone. This stone is a fragment of an Egyptian stele inscribed with a decree that was published in Memphis for the year 196 B.C and Found in 1799. This decree is written in three different scripts which are the Egyptian hieroglyphics in the upper text; a demotic script in the middle part; and ancient Greek in the lower part.
And it was because of the presence of these three inscriptions that a giant step was taken in the modern understanding of Egyptian hieroglyphics. Herein lies their great importance for the appreciation of this culture from a new perspective.
The stone was found by French soldiers under the command of French Captain Pierre-François Bouchard on July 19, 1799. But before this, it is believed that it was placed in a temple and moved in the Middle Ages to be used as a building material near the town of then called Rashid.
Because of the triumph of the British troops over the French in Egypt during 1801, the stone came under British possession with the Capitulation of Alexandria.
And it was transported to London, where since 1802 it has been exhibited in the British Museum, with the important title of being the most visited piece in the place.
This is not for nothing, because this stone represented an essential reference for the current understanding of literature and what was the civilization of Ancient Egypt. However, the Rosetta stone has been at the center of controversy among nations over where it should be displayed.
Arguments range from the transfer of the stone into French hands to the British during the Napoleonic Wars, to the value of Young’s and Champollion’s translation contributions, to demands for the return of the stone to its place of origin in Egypt.
What to see and visit in Rosetta or Rashid?
In this city located 65 kilometers from Alexandria, you will find several tourist attractions that are worth knowing to discover even more a facet of Egyptian culture. In particular, I recommend you explore it if you are staying in Alexandria so that you can vary your stay a little more.
In Rashid, you will find examples of Delta-style mansions all over the city. These mansions date back to the Ottoman era from the 18th to the 19th century.
These houses have been restored and now have very striking facades with details that make them stand out. Such as the cases of built-in beams, carved lintels, and white or red paint. This gives them a unique appearance.
What to do in Rosetta or Rashid, Egypt?
Although the city is recognized or associated mostly for being the place where the Rosetta Stone was found, as I mentioned, it is not found here, but in the British Museum. However, there are other options to discover in the tourist aspect of this city.
One of the most interesting points is the al-Ali Mahaldi Mosque, this mosque stands out for being very peculiar. This is because it is supported by a large number of columns that are presumed to have been stolen from other styles and civilizations.
Therefore, you will find Roman and Greek columns, even columns that are believed to have belonged to the pulpits of Coptic churches.
Another interesting visit you can make in Rosetta or Rashid is the Rashid Museum. This museum has objects from civilizations that have passed through this town over the years.
This is how you will find in this museum weapons and documents belonging to this category. The building where it is located is in itself a real attraction because thanks to its restoration it boasts wonderful architecture, which is adorned by the gardens that surround it and decorate it with great style.
