Qaitbay Fort – The Citadel of Qaitbay

Where is the Citadel of Qaitbay located?

When you think about Alexandria City, the first thing to strike your mind will be the phenomenal Citadel of Qaitbay as one of Alexandiaˈs best attractions due to the historical significance it holds. It has a strategic location overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, located at the end of Pharos Island, in the far west of Alexandria, covering an area of about 17,550 square meters.

History of the Citadel of Qaitbay

Established by Sultan Al-Ashraf Sayf al-Din Qaitbay more than 500 years ago on the ruins of one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the ancient lighthouse of Alexandria, which was demolished in the year 702 AH as a result of the devastating earthquake that occurred during the reign of Sultan Al-Nasser Muhammad bin Qalawun. Sultan Al-Ashraf Abu Al-Nasr Qaitbay began building this castle in the year 882 AH and finished building it in the year 884 AH. This castle is one of the most marvelous Islamic military castles in the Mediterranean basin and it was erected to repel a possible invasion from the Ottoman Turks. All the Sultans and Rulers of Egypt have paid so much attention to it throughout history as a defensive fortress where weapons were stored, and the execution by hanging was for those who stole its weapons.

 

The architecture and interior of the Citadel of Qaitbay

The castle was built in a defensive style consisting of a large fence with an average height of about eight meters, and it has many watchtowers and defensive towers and over the fence, there are several windows for ventilation and rooms for storing weapons and defending the castle wall and the castle is built on a large area of about 18,000 square meters, which means that we are in front of a long and impregnable defensive wall sticking to the castle from the southern side and to the sea from the northern side.

The Citadel of Qaitbay consists of three square-shaped floors, where the four towers in the corners have archery openings on two levels. The first floor contains the castle mosque and defensive corridors, while the second floor contains corridors, halls and internal rooms. The third and final floor houses a large room considered the “seat of Sultan Qaitbay ” where he enjoyed a beautiful view of the sea and passing ships. The castle also has a huge cistern for storing fresh water.

How have Sultans paid attention to the castle?

Since its construction, the Citadel of Qaitbay has been one of the most important castles in the region and has been of interest to sultans and rulers throughout the ages.

In the Mamluk era, Sultan Qansuh al-Ghouri took great care of this castle, increasing the protection system, weapons and equipment.

In the era of the Ottomans, when the Ottoman rule was prosperous, the Ottoman rulers preserved this castle, and made it a place for their soldiers of different spectrums, including infantry, cavalry and artillery, as the Ottomans considered the castle a main gate to Egypt on the northern coast, so they tightened the protection system in it.

When the Ottoman Empire weakened, the protection system of the castle weakened, so France, led by Napoleon, was able to seize the castle and the city of Alexandria. That was in 1789.

During the reign of Muhammad Ali Pasha, the walls of the castle were renovated and strengthened, and some developments were added to suit the new defence system of the nineteenth century AD, as it was provided with coastal cannons and several forts spread along the northern coast of Egypt.

In 1904, the Committee for the Conservation of Arab Antiquities repaired the damage caused to the citadel by the British occupation of Egypt.

Currently, The Egyptian government is preparing a project that increases the strength of the Citadel of Qaitbay, where the mother rock will be restored, and submersible barriers will be erected to protect the castle from erosion by waves. A wall will be built around this historic castle, 15 meters from its outer walls.

The Citadel of Qaitbay Today

The castle played an important role in the history of Egypt, especially in the early centuries when it was built, which continued to be the defensive role of Alexandria until the 19th century when it was bombed by the English fleet of Egypt in 1882.

The Qaitbay castle moved from a defensive role to an archaeological one. During the 20th century, the Egyptian government restored the castle from cracked and damaged walls, towers, control rooms, and so on. It was subsequently converted into one of the most important Egyptian-Islamic monuments in Alexandria.

How to take a tour in the Citadel of Qaitbay?

Once you decide to visit the castle, you can be sure that your trip will be the best of all, as you can reach the castle via cable car, which will offer you an irreplaceable opportunity to enjoy the best views.

• There is a unique trip waiting for you before you start your tour in the castle, so in order to reach the castle, you can take one of the boats that will take you to the place through an unparalleled cruise.
• Here, you stand in front of the Citadel of Qaitbay, one of the ancient architectural buildings. Tour the place and take advantage of this original architecture. and you can also wander in the courtyard of the castle and get to know the place closely.
• Watching and knowing the history of the castle walls, as these walls are divided into an internal wall and an external one. The inner wall includes former soldiers’ barracks and weapons stores, and the outer wall from the four sides includes defensive towers that rise to the level of the wall.
• Strategically located overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, you will automatically find yourself immersed in the mesmerizing scenery, and the place has a café with wonderful seating and unparalleled views.
• The castle features various exhibits that you will find in the Citadel Museum, as it contains marine artifacts.
• This castle serves as a weapons depot where you will see various weapons, like cannons.
• Visit the castle’s second floor, which contains corridors, halls, internal rooms, and a large room representing the seat of Sultan Qaitbay.
• The castle retains its ancient splendor, which you will see embodied in all its corners and parts, especially when exploring the moat in the castle as well as the tunnels.
• It would be nice to spend time outdoors, as the Fort of Qaitbay is surrounded by a beautiful garden where you can walk, and you will find places to sit and rest there.