Citadel of Qaitbay, Alexandria (must see)

The Citadel of Qaitbay stands on a headland long associated with the ancient Lighthouse of Pharos, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Built in the late 15th century by Sultan Al-Ashraf Qaitbay, the fortress guarded the harbour entrance against seaborne threats. Its walls reflect both Mamluk military needs and the memory of the ancient lighthouse once linked to the site.

One of the most interesting details appears at the main entrance, where darker red granite blocks stand out from the surrounding limestone. These stones are widely linked to the ancient lighthouse and may have been reused in the citadel’s construction. Around them, the square plan, thick walls, corner towers, vaulted rooms, and narrow passages show the practical design of a fortress built for defence.

The sea around the citadel adds another layer to its story. Beneath the waves lies an underwater archaeological zone connected with the collapsed lighthouse, where researchers have documented thousands of objects, including sphinxes, statues, columns, and large architectural blocks. Recent archaeological work has involved scanning and modelling massive stone blocks from the sea to better understand the lost lighthouse. This makes the citadel a visible marker of a much larger archaeological landscape.

Inside the complex, the main keep preserves traces of daily military life, including spaces linked with storage, defence, and food preparation; one notable feature is a large oven associated with baking bread for the soldiers stationed there. The fortress later shifted from military use to royal retreat under King Farouk. Nearby, the Marine Life Museum adds contrast, with fossils, maritime objects, preserved sea specimens, and a whale skeleton on display.