The Citadel of Qaitbay

Published 2024-Apr-Sun

The Citadel of Qaitbay

The Citadel of Qaitbay is a 15th-century defensive fortress located on the Mediterranean coast in Alexandria, Egypt. It was built between 1477 and 1479 AD by Sultan Al-Ashraf Sayf al-Din Qaitbay on the site of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Citadel served as a key part of Alexandria’s fortifications and has been preserved and restored over the centuries, now functioning as a Maritime Museum12.

The Citadel of Qaitbay

1.The Citadel of Qaitbay:  

A Short Overview The Citadel of Qaitbay, or the Fort of Qaitbay is located in Alexandria, Egypt on Mediterranean coast and is a defensive fort built in the fifteenth century.   

 

2.There are a few interesting facts about this historical place:  

 

3.Building of the Citadel:  


The construction of the Citadel was carried out between 1477 and 1479 AD (882-884 AH)  by Sultan Al-Ashraf Sayf al-Din Qa’it Bay.
It is located on the eastern direction at the northern end of Pharos Island to protect the entrance towards the Eastern Harbor.
The Tower was of great importance in the fortification of Alexandria during the last 15th century A.D.  

 


4.The Wonder in the Waves:  


The Citadel sits on the former location of the famous Great Lighthouse of Alexandria which was an ancient wonder.
After the Arabs conquered Egypt, the structure was modified in design but remained operational for hundreds of years.
Restoration works were started at the place in the period of 880 A.D while Ahmed Ibn Tulun was in power.

Anyway, during the XI century due to earthquakes the octagonal part faced some destruction, hence a few lower structures remained.
During the 15th century, Sultan Qaitbay built more structures in the area, including the castle which he defended from the Ottomans and erected a mosque inside the castle itself. 


5.Formations and Layouts:  


The perimeter of the Citadel is that of a square and is roughly 17,550 square meters in size.
The building is surrounded by an outer defensive wall with towers.
Within the wall is a courtyard that contains barrack and storage rooms within the borders of the citadel.
The most significant tower is in the northwest part of the citadel and it is a large square fort with three levels.
At each corner of the tower are half cylindrical shaped towers with hanging balconies to protect the city.
A well located nearby allowed army soldiers and their horses to access water. 


6.Importance:  

The architectural features of Qait bay citadel have always taken rulers and their establishments’ interests 

 

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