Photos of Citadel of Qaitbay

For ancient sailors, the Egyptian coast was a nightmare: the flat coastline often blinded them to reefs and shoals. One night in the autumn of 280 BC, when the moon was dark and the wind was high, an Egyptian happy boat hit a reef and sank when it entered Alexandria. This tragedy shocked the Egyptian government and the opposition. After this, Ptolemy I ordered the construction of a high tower so that sailors could see it from a distance before they came to shore. After 12 years of construction, the Faros Lighthouse was finally completed in 283. Because of its grand scale and unique shape, the ancients named it one of the seven wonders of the world. The bunker's thick outer wall is matched with several semi-circular towers, and now it is a lookout for people to enjoy the scenery and take pictures. In 1882, the British artillery bombarded the Fort Quebe, and after two reconstructions, the bunker returned to its former glory. It is a delightful walk in this area, through the harbour, and the view behind is even more delightful: the colorful fishing boats bobbing up and down in the near, and the bright rotunda of the new library in the distance. There are many stalls selling shell jewelry on the edge of the castle, so choose one or two as a small witness of your trip to Alexandria.