Islamic heritage · North Sinai
An-Nekhel Fortress
A historic fortress at the very centre of the Sinai Peninsula, long an important staging post for Muslim pilgrims.
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The story
An-Nekhel Fortress stands in the Nekhel municipality of the Sinai Peninsula, in a strategic position at its exact centre. It is a fort of the 16th century, attributed to the Mamluk sultan Qansuh al-Ghuri and later used by the Ottomans after 1517. Excavations at the site have uncovered remains dating from Ancient Egypt. Through history it served as an important stopping place and staging ground for Muslim pilgrims travelling for Hajj or Umrah.
Good to know
- The fortress sits at the exact centre of the Sinai Peninsula.
- Excavations there have revealed remains from Ancient Egypt.