Qaitbay Citadel

The Citadel of Qaitbay, also known as the Fort of Qaitbay, is a 15th-century defensive fortress located on the Mediterranean coast in Alexandria, Egypt. Constructed between 1477 and 1479 AD by Sultan Al-Ashraf Sayf al-Din Qa’it Bay, the citadel stands on the eastern edge of the northern tip of Pharos Island, at the mouth of Alexandria’s Eastern Harbour. It is regarded as one of the most significant defensive structures in Egypt and along the Mediterranean coast, playing a key role in Alexandria’s fortification system during the 15th century.

The citadel was built on the very site of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria—one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. After the Arab conquest of Egypt, the lighthouse underwent several structural modifications and continued to operate for many centuries. Restoration efforts began during the reign of Ahmed Ibn Tulun around 880 AD. However, a major earthquake in the 11th century severely damaged the lighthouse’s octagonal section, leaving only the base intact. It was then repurposed as a watchtower, with a small mosque added on top. Two devastating earthquakes in 1303 and 1323 ultimately led to the complete destruction of the lighthouse, paving the way for the construction of the Qaitbay Citadel on its ruins.