Qaitbay Citadel: Alexandria’s 15th Century Sea Fortress

The Qaitbey Citadel stands as a timeless guardian of Egypt’s maritime history and cosmic beauty, dating all the way to the 15th century. It was built upon the ruins of the legendary Lighthouse of Alexandria using its own body and soul that once earned the title of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. This fortress exudes a mystical charm that transports everyone across centuries of Egyptian grandeur and the visions of many different cultures and arts.

With its majestic stone walls kissed by the Mediterranean Sea breeze and its towers offering panoramic views of the endless horizon, the Citadel seems to merge the heavens and the earth. Every corner whispers stories of pharaohs, kings, sultans, warriors, and ancient mariners, making this an unmissable journey into the heart of Egypt’s legendary past.

Location & How to Get to Qaitbay Citadel

Qaitbay Citadel is located on the Pharos Island, now part of the mainland, in the district of Bahary, at the western tip of the Corniche in Alexandria. The citadel offers a stunning view of the Mediterranean Sea and Alexandria's harbor, as well as the skyline of the city.

To reach Qaitbay Citadel in Alexandria from the city center (5 km west of Midan Saad Zaghloul), there are a number of options which including the fastest option, which is about 15–20 minutes by local minibus or microbus towards the Corniche, though it involves a 20-minute walk from the nearest station. Everyone will have the option to enjoy a scenic 45-minute walk along the Corniche.

The distance from Cairo is about 220 km away which can take about a 2–3 hour journey from Ramses Station, followed by a taxi or local transport, a 3-hour trip, ending at the Alexandria bus terminal, with a taxi to the citadel, or 2.5–3 hour drive via the Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road or the International Coastal Road. 

You can easily forget about this hassle and just book with a travel agency that will arrange all the transfers across all the attractions of Alexandria, including this majestic citadel. Keep in mind that the Citadel is near other prominent attractions, including the Alexandria Corniche, Alexandria National Museum, and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (Library of Alexandria), which are all worth visiting, so make sure to put them on your dream tour.

Discover the Epic History of Qaitbay Citadel

One of the Mediterranean Sea coasts' strongest defensive fortresses is the "Qaitbay Citadel", located in the immortal city of Alexandria on the eastern side of the northern tip of Pharos island, and extends out into Alexandria's harbor from the corniche. It was built on the site of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, The Citadel was part of a 15th-century fortification system to protect Egypt.

After earthquakes in the 11th, 13th, and 14th centuries destroyed the lighthouse, the Mamluke Sultan Al-Ashraf Qaitbay built the Citadel in 1480 AD to defend against the Turks. A mosque was also added inside the fortress. It was designed by a Mameluke architect named Qagmas Al-Eshaqy. The work lasted two years, costing over 100,000 gold dinars.

It holds a unique position not only because of played an important role in the fortification system of the city during the 15th century AD, but also because it was constructed on the exact location of one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, "The Lighthouse of Alexandria". 

The Quitbay citadel continued to play a vital role during the Ottoman Empire as it was used as a powerful fortress to store and ship weapons from 1517 AD till the next three centuries. During the French campaign in 1798, the citadel caught the eye of Napoleon Bonaparte, so he seized it along with the entire country.

At the beginning of the 19th century, Muhammad Ali worked in renovating the walls of the citadel after it was heavily destroyed by the British naval bombardment and provided the stronghold with modern weapons, which made the reign of Muhammed Ali the golden era of the citadel. The citadel would be restored in the 20th century by Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities. 

The Historical Role of Qaitbay Citadel

The Quitbay citadel continued to play a vital role during the Ottoman Empire as it was used as a powerful fortress to store and ship weapons from 1517 AD till the next three centuries. During the French campaign in 1798, the citadel caught the eye of Napoleon Bonaparte, so he seized it along with the entire country. At the beginning of the 19^th century, Muhammad Ali worked on renovating the walls of the citadel after it was heavily destroyed by the British naval bombardment and provided the stronghold with modern weapons, which made the reign of Muhammad Ali the golden era of the citadel.

The Construction of Qaitbay Citadel

The construction of the Qaitbay Citadel began in 882 AH (1477 AD) when Sultan Qaitbay visited the lighthouse site and ordered the fortress to be built. The Qaitbay Citadel was built using the stones salvaged from the huge lighthouse on an impressive 17,550 square meters that looks very much like a peninsula as it is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea from three sides.

It has three floors. On the first floor, there is a big mosque, and the second is an octagon containing corridors, halls, and a breathing interior, while the third and final floor is a large circular room holding the seat of the king. Around 884 AH, the Citadel was completed, equipped with soldiers, weapons, and funded through waqfs (endowments). Due to its strategic importance, the Citadel was well-maintained by subsequent Mamluke rulers. 

Architectural design and Interior of Qaitbay Citadel

The interior of the Qaitbay Citadel combines practical military features with elements of architectural beauty. It features several key elements, reflecting both its defensive purpose and historical architecture.

Inside the citadel is an inner wall that encloses the citadel’s courtyard, which houses several rooms, some of which served as barracks, while others were used for storage and administrative work. The interior is connected by several narrow passages and staircases, allowing movement between floors and rooms. These features reflect the fortress’s design to be both functional and defensible.

The entrance leads to the central courtyard, dominated by a formidable main tower situated in the northwest corner. This massive, square-shaped fortification rises three floors high, with half-circular towers at each corner, featuring protruding balconies designed for city defense. A nearby tank provided water for the soldiers and their horses. A mosque is located inside the citadel, built as part of Sultan Qaitbay’s vision. It served as a place of worship for the soldiers stationed there.

The edifice's mason

Sultan Qaitbay is known for his passion for art and architecture, which inspired him to create the position of Edifices Mason to oversee construction projects. He commissioned many structures in Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem, and in Egypt, he renovated around 70 buildings, including mosques, madrasas, and citadels like those in Alexandria and Rosetta.

Qagmas Al-Eshaqy, who was a Mameluke of Djakmaq, became the Edifices Mason and Viceroy of Alexandria under Qaitbay. Qagmas was also involved in various other architectural projects across Egypt and Syria. He was responsible for the construction of the Citadel on the ruins of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, a project that took two years and cost over 100,000 gold dinars.

The Most Famous Users of the Castle

Qaitbay Citadel is the most important fort in Alexandria, so the rulers of Egypt cared about it throughout the ages, including:

• In the Mamluk Period, Qansoh Al-Ghuri increased the strength of his protectorate and shipped with arms and gear.
• When Ottomans opened Egypt in 1517, they used this Citadel as a fort to protect themselves for three centuries.
• Then the French campaign was able to seize it in 1798. Napoleon Bonaparte came with 50,000 soldiers to seize Alexandria and seized the castle.
• In the 19th century, Muhammad Ali worked on fortifying Egypt, so he renewed the walls of the castle while he was ruling Egypt. Because the walls were completely damaged by the British Naval bombardment.

Qaitbay Citadel Facts

• The Qaitbay Citadel was built in 1477 AD (882 AH) by a Mamluk sultan called Al-Ashraf Sayf al-Din Qaitbay to protect the city from Ottoman invasions and naval threats.
• The citadel was built on the site of the ruined ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria. Sultan Qaitbay used some of the remnants of the fallen lighthouse for the citadel’s construction.
• The fortress is a rectangular structure, 60 meters long and 50 meters wide. It is surrounded by massive stone walls with defensive towers at each corner.
• The walls are made of limestone, and some of the stones used came from the ruins of the Lighthouse of Alexandria. 
• The main tower of the citadel stands three stories tall, with domed ceilings and arched windows. The citadel also has several levels, including a mosque and barracks for soldiers.
• It was designed with thick walls, arrow slits, and strategic firing positions for cannons to defend against enemy ships.
• The citadel was part of Alexandria’s defense system along the Mediterranean coastline and played a crucial role in protecting the city from various naval assaults.
• The citadel was once connected to the island of Pharos by a causeway, though the area has been reshaped by the sea and urban development.
• It is said that during Napoleon’s invasion of Egypt, French soldiers were stationed at the citadel, adding another layer of historical importance to the fortress.
• During the Ottoman period, the citadel remained a defensive stronghold, and it was later used as a military base by the Egyptian army during the 19th century.
• The citadel was restored and maintained as a cultural and historical monument. It played a small defensive role during the British bombardment of Alexandria in 1882.
• The citadel underwent several renovations, especially during the reign of Muhammad Ali in the 19th century, who added defensive artillery and improved the structure to modernize its defenses.
• Further restoration occurred in the 20th century under Egyptian authorities to preserve the historical monument, turning it into a tourist site.
• There is a small museum inside the citadel that showcases naval artifacts, weaponry, and historical items from different periods of Egyptian history.
• While not officially listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the citadel is recognized as part of the overall historical and cultural heritage of Alexandria, which includes other significant structures like the Library of Alexandria.

Uncover the Greatness of Qaitbey With Our Grand Trips

The castle is one of the most beautiful archaeological sites in Egypt, also Egypt has a great civilization and history to discover, so enjoy one of our breathtaking Egypt tour packages to discover the best tourist attractions in the land of pharaohs, combined with a Nile river cruise.