Citadel of Qaitbay

The Citadel of Qaitbay (or the Fort of Qaitbay; Arabic: قلعة قايتباي) is a 15th-century defensive fortress located on the Mediterranean sea coast, on Pharos Island in Alexandria, Egypt. It was built from 1477 to 1479 AD (882–884 AH) by Sultan of Egypt al-Ashraf Sayf al-Din Qaitbay. The Citadel is situated on the eastern side of the northern tip of Pharos Island at the mouth of the Alexandria Port.

History

The Qaitbay Citadel in Alexandria is considered one of the most important defensive strongholds, not only in Egypt, but also along the Mediterranean Sea coast. It formulated an important part of the fortification system of Alexandria in the 15th century AD.

The Citadel is situated at the entrance of the eastern harbour on the eastern point of Pharos Island. It was erected on the site of the former Lighthouse of Alexandria, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Many structural modifications were made to the lighthouse after the Arab conquest of Egypt, but the lighthouse continued to function for many centuries. Restoration began in the period of Ahmad ibn Tulun (about 880 AD). During the 11th century an earthquake occurred, causing damage to the octagonal part. The bottom survived, but it could only serve as a watchtower, and a small mosque was built on the top. Two very destructive earthquakes occurred in 1303 and 1323, which resulted in the complete destruction of the lighthouse.

About 1480, the Circassian Mamluk Sultan al-Ashraf Qaitbay fortified the place as part of his coastal defensive edifices against the Turks, who were threatening Egypt at that time. He built the fortress and placed a mosque inside it. The Citadel continued to function during most of the Mamluk period, the Ottoman period and the Modern period, but after the British bombardment of Alexandria in 1882, it was kept out of the spotlight. It became neglected until the 20th century, when it was restored several times by the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities.

Qaitbay was so fond of art and architecture that he created an important post among the administrative system of the state; it was the Edifices Mason (Shady Al-Ama'er). He built many beneficial constructions in Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem. In Egypt there are about 70 renovated edifices attributed to him, among them are mosques, Madrasas, agencies, Fountain houses (Sabils), Kuttabs, houses, military edifices like the Citadels in Alexandria and Rosetta (Nowadays the city of Rashid). These Citadels were built to protect the north of Egypt, mainly against the Ottomans, whose power was increasing in the Mediterranean.

Qagmas al-Eshaqy, the edifices mason, was the architect of the Citadel. Before his arrival in Egypt he was a Mamluk of Djakmaq in Syria. During the rule of Qaitbay he became the edifices mason, and then the viceroy of Alexandria. He was appointed governor of Syria (Damascus), built a mosque outside the gate of Rashid (Bab Rashid) as well as a cenotaph and a khan.