QAÏTBAY CITADEL

In 1303, an earthquake dealt the final blow to what were already the ruins of the Pharos of Alexandria, built on an island linked to the mainland by an artificial dyke seven Greek stadia long. Just over a century later, in 1477, the great Mamluk sultan Qaïtbay came to Alexandria to continue fortifying Egypt's strongholds on the Mediterranean coast; he had already erected a citadel in the town of Rachid, or Rosette, five years earlier. Over a period of two years, using the scattered blocks of the old lighthouse, the square, massive yet elegant citadel was built. A few alterations were made during the reign of Mohammed Ali, and after the British bombardment during Colonel Orabi's revolt in 1882. Considered one of the most important defensive positions on the Mediterranean coast, the citadel covers more than 17,550^m2. It is strategically positioned so as to be able to observe the sea from three sides.

First enclosure. The main entrance faces the road from the city, although it is now entered through a side gate. The walls are 2 m thick and rise 8 m above the ground. It is intersected by three semicircular towers. In its northern part, it is much wider, and both the terraces and the lower gallery, entirely covered, housed cannons designed to repel undesirables from the entrance to the port commanded by the citadel. A large esplanade separates the tower's western and southern walls.

The tower. Its 17-metre height dominates the entire square building, whose sides measure some 30 metres. A single door gives access to the tower, at the top of a ramp defended by a system of machicolations. Once past the porch, you come up against a wall and enter from the side, to reduce the impetus for intrusions. On the first floor, you can admire the square mosque with its mosaic floor, framed by four large niches, iwans, which support a high vaulted ceiling pierced by a skylight. On the upper floor, the galleries house a museum dedicated to the battles fought between the English and French until the latter's departure after the second defeat at Aboukir in 1801.

In the midst of the waves , numerous remains of the lighthouse - both monumental blocks and statues - have been located, catalogued and, in some cases, fished out. Some of these can be admired in the gardens of Kôm el-Dikka and at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.