fort of Qaitbey, Alexandria

Standing close to where the famous ancient lighthouse once stood, the white castle of Qaitbey seems to float in the sea. From across the harbour, it almost seems like an island, with brightly painted fishing boats bobbing up and down all around it, but up close, you'll see that it is connected to the rest of the city by a pedestrian walkway. The fort now houses a Naval Museum, which unfortunately did not tempt me to part with my pounds, so I can only tell you about the outside...it would have been nice to go inside just for the views across the Eastern Harbour, but money was fast disappearing at that point! Instead, we sat by the entrance eating popcorn, watching locals hurl themselves from the rocks into the water. The area has been recently "done up" for tourists, but in september, there were precious few of them about.

this used to be where the pharos lighthouse was located, but that got destroyed. now stands a fort built by the mamluk sultan qaitbey.

this fort interestingly was built with the debris of the former pharos lighthouse. they say if u look closely at the walls, u could see the original granite from the ancient lighthouse (sadly i couldn't pick out!)

The spectacular Port is home to Fort Kaitbay. Built on an island, this “castle” or fort was badly damaged by Napoleon as he attempted to “win the hearts and minds” of the Egyptians!

The fort is Alexandrias number one tourist attraction and is the tourist icon of the entire city. Sitting at the edge of the Mediterranean Sea, you are afforded some truly spectacular views up and down the coast as well as looking across the harbor toward the city.

The entry fee is 2 Egyptian pounds for locals and 12 Egyptian pounds for foreigners!

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The Fortress of Qaitbey was built on the site of the Pharos Lighthouse, one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World. Much has been written about this famous Lighthouse which was destroyed in an earthquake in the early 1300s.

The Fortress which stands there today was bult by Sultan Qaitbey in 1480. It is situated at the entrance of the Easter Harbour of Alexandria and was used to protect the city of Alexandria from invaders attacking from the Mediterranean Sea.

Some of the granite remains of the Pharos Lighthouse have been used in a section of the Fortress.

The Fortress itself contains many narrow passageways and stairs leading into rooms where Military Officers were once housed.

There is also a mosque in the centre of the Fortress.

The views of the Mediterranean fro the Fortress are spectacular.

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On the northern tip of the Eastern Harbour, Sultan Qaitbey's Fort is an Alexandrian landmark. The Fort is on the original site of Pharos, Alexandria's ancient light- house, built in 279 BC to a height of 125 metres and topped with a statue of Poseidon.

The Fort contains a mosque and the Naval Museum and provides wonderful views of the city and the Mediterranean.

Qaietbay castle is the only castle in Alexandria.

its on the sea coast,was made to defend Alexandria incase of any invasion from the sea.

The castle contain a museum inside,prison,mosque and weapons.

you will enjoy going there and see the sea from top view.

A lovely place on the shore where the ancient and ultra famous Lighthouse of Pharos used to be at.
QAIT Bey Citadel one of the most important citadels in Egypt was build by the Mameluke Sultan al Ashraf Abul- Nasr Qait Bey in 1477 A.D.

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In the harbour of Alexandria, on the place where the famous lighthouse used to be, you can visit the Fort of Quaitbey. In fact, the ruins from the old lighthouse were used to construct the current fort in 1480.

Today, this symbol of the city houses the Naval Museum.