Lakhasly

Qaitbay Citadel, a crucial fort on the Mediterranean coast, was constructed by Mamluk sultan Qaitbay between 1477 and 1479 AD on the ruins of Alexandria's Lighthouse. It served as Alexandria's primary defense against naval attacks.

The citadel, built with limestone, covers an area of 17,550 square meters and is surrounded by an outer wall with defensive towers. An inner wall encloses the courtyard, containing various rooms used as barracks and storage.

The citadel's entrance leads to the courtyard, where the main tower is located in the northwest. This massive, three-story square fort has half-circular towers at each corner with protruding balconies for defense. A nearby tank provided water for soldiers and horses.

The citadel's strategic location has attracted attention from rulers throughout history. The building underwent expansion and conservation efforts in 2003.

Qaitbay Citadel is one of the most important forts on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The Mamluk sultan al-Ashraf Abu al-Nasr Qaitbay built it between 882 AH/ 1477 AD and 884/ 1479 AD over the ruins of Alexandria’s Lighthouse. It served as Alexandria’defence against naval attacks.

The citadel was made of limestone and spanned an area of approximately 17550 m2. An outer wall plotted with defence towers surrounds the building.

An inner wall surrounds the citadel’s courtyard and includes a number of rooms some of them used as barracks and others for storage.

The citadel’s entrance leads to the courtyard where we find the main tower located in the northwest. It consists of a massive three-floored square fort. Its four corners are occupied by half-circular towers that carry protruding balconies for the defence of the city. A tank near the tower supplied soldiers and their horses with water.

Qaitbay citadel drew the attention of rulers throughout the ages, on account of its strategic location. The building was also enlarged and subject to other conservation operations in 2003.