Qaitbay Citadel in Alexandria / Fort Quaitbay Egypt

Qaitbay Citadel in Alexandria / Fort Quaitbay Egypt. Qaitbay Citadel was constructed by Sultan Qaytbay on the remnants of the Old Alexandria Lighthouse. The Castle which is considered to be one of the most striking Islamic War Castles in the Meditteraenean Basin, and was constructed to prevent a possible invasion by the Ottoman, and has an area of Seventeen Thousand Five Hundred and Fifty square meters. Inside the Citadel there is a Mosque, and it’s importance is reason being that it is archetectually one of the Oldest known Mosque’s in Alexandria and has an area of thirty square meters. There are enclosures included in the Castle for Soldiers, a Mill, a Kitchen and a Bakery. Throughout the Ottoman Period the Castle was neglected and so fell into disrepair but was restored during the reign of Muhammad Ali, but was destroyed in 1882, however it was recently refurbished by the Supreme Council of Antiquities, This quaint Fortress was constructed during the Fourteenth Century by Sultan Qaitbey to defend Alexandria from attack from the Ottoman Empire . However his attempts were of no avail as the Ottomans took Power of Egypt in 1512, although the Fortress has remained tactically Located on a thin strip of Land that expands out into Alexandria’s Harbor from the Corniche. The configuration of the current Fortress is not the original one, it was massively damaged during the British bombardment of Alexandria during a Nationalist uprising against British Dominance in 1882 and reconstructed at approx. the turn of the Twentieth Century. The construction in itself as is most things in Alexandria is not what is most important about the Location. Qaitbey constructed the Fortress here to take advantage of an exsisting Foundation on the Site, which was the Legendary Pharos Lighthouse, which by the Fourteenth Century had fallen into disrepair due to due to the repeated damage which was done by Earthquakes. Shaping the Lintel and Doorway of its entrance the Largest Stones of the Citadel as well as the Red Granite Columns in the Mosque within the Walls, are most probably salvaged from the vast Tower that at one time stood here. The Citadel has for a long time not been in use for any Military action. In the Present Day it hosts a small Naval Museum, however it may well be worth a visit to explore the interior of the Fortress, and try and visualize how the huge Structure must have been that once stood on its Foundation. The Penninsular which leads up to the Citadel is also a well liked area with Fishermen and Families. Usually it is full of People enjoying the Sea Views , Restaurants and the Ice Cream Shops that are along the Street which leads up to the Fortress.