Lamentable ruins

This depiction of Mount Sinai by Erhard Reuwich was featured in the book. Alexandria is tucked into the bottom right corner.

Bernard von Breydenbach, a German cleric published this account of his travels through the Holy Land and Egypt. Of Alexandria he wrote, "On our introduction to the town, we were surprised at seeing everywhere nothing but lamentable ruins, we could not suppress our astonishment at seeing so miserable a town surrounded by such fine and strong walls."

A slightly more flattering version from the same era...

In this portrayal of the Rosetta Gate from Michael Wohlgemuth in 1493, Alexandria isn't cast in such a miserable light.