Ambitious plans to establish the world's first underwater museum have not so far materialised, but officials now say that from October divers will be allowed to visit the site where marine archaeologists in 1996 found the ruins of the Pharos Lighthouse - one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

Permission to visit other sites should follow.

Cleopatra's palace

About a year from now, officials say, divers will be able to see the submerged royal quarters where Cleopatra was thought to have had a palace. Pavements, statues and granite columns were found there in 1998.

The sea off Alexandria is full of historic treasures

Then there is the latest find, announced this summer: the ruins of an entire city called Herakleion dating back to more than 2,500 years.

The discoveries have been a major boost to efforts to revive a somewhat shabby modern Alexandria.

A huge library modelled on the famous ancient Greek Bibliotecha Alexandrina is also under construction.

The hope is to put the city, known as the Bride of the Mediterranean, back in the limelight after decades of neglect.