Islamic heritage · Beheira
Rosetta
A Nile-and-sea port town known for its Ottoman houses of red and black brick and for the nearby Qaitbay fort, where the Rosetta Stone was found.
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The story
Rashid lies about 65 km east of Alexandria in Beheira governorate, one of the Delta's long-established ports. In the 15th century the Mamluk sultan Qaitbay renewed its Nile-side defensive fort, where French soldiers repairing the walls came across the Rosetta Stone in 1799. The town prospered as a trading centre under the Mamluks and Ottomans, and its merchants built multi-storey houses of red and black brick with latticed mashrabiya windows, many of which still stand. Its commercial role faded after the Mahmoudiyah canal was dug in 1820 and Alexandria regained the lead. Rashid's historic houses have since been added to the Islamic World Heritage List of ICESCO.
Good to know
- Rashid is the Arabic name; Rosetta is the form used by Europeans, and it gave the Rosetta Stone its name.
- The Rosetta Stone was found in 1799 at the Qaitbay fort (Fort Julien), about 5 km north-west of the town.
- Rashid's Ottoman houses are recognisable by alternating red and black brickwork, wooden lattice windows and projecting upper floors.
- Rashid is about 65 km from Alexandria, roughly an hour by road, which makes it an easy day trip.
- ICESCO's Islamic World Heritage Committee added Rashid's historic houses to its list at its 13th session in Tashkent.
Visiting tips
Rashid is usually visited as a day trip from Alexandria by private car, and its historic houses are open to visitors in daytime hours, generally with visits finishing before about 4 pm. Opening times and prices for the houses, the fort and the national museum can change, so please check before visiting.