Islamic heritage · Alexandria
Citadel of Qaitbay
A 15th-century Mamluk fortress guarding the Eastern Harbour of Alexandria, raised on the very site of the ancient Pharos lighthouse.
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The story
The Pharos of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, fell into ruin after a series of earthquakes in the 14th century, the most destructive in 1303. Between 1477 and 1479 (882–884 AH), the Mamluk Sultan Al-Ashraf Sayf al-Din Qaitbay built his fortress on the north-eastern tip of Pharos Island, using the fallen lighthouse stone, to strengthen Egypt's coast against the Ottoman naval threat. The fort was damaged in the British bombardment of Alexandria in 1882 and later restored. Today it is a landmark visitor site that houses a maritime museum.
Good to know
- The fort stands on the site of the famed Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
- Stone from the fallen lighthouse was reused in the fort, so a piece of the ancient wonder lives on in its walls.
- Construction took only about two years, from 1477 to 1479.
- Sultan Qaitbay built it to defend Alexandria against the growing Ottoman naval threat.
- Today the fort houses a maritime museum and looks over the Eastern Harbour and the Alexandria waterfront.
Visiting tips
The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities site lists daily visiting hours of roughly 9:00 to 20:00. Hours and ticket prices can change, so please check before visiting. Comfortable shoes are advisable on the stone floors and steps.