Citadel of Qaitbay The Citadel of Qaitbay ( or the Fort of Qaitbay ) ( ) is a 15th - century defensive fortress located on the Mediterranean sea coast , which built upon / from the ruins of the Lighthouse of Alexandria , in Alexandria , Egypt . It was established in 1477 AD by Sultan Al - Ashraf Sayf al - Din Qa ' it Bay . The Citadel is situated on the eastern side of the northern tip of Pharos Island at the mouth of the Eastern Harbour . 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 . Lighthouse of Alexandria . The Citadel is situated at the entrance of the eastern harbour on the eastern point of the Pharos Island . It was erected on the exact site of the famous Lighthouse of Alexandria , which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World . The lighthouse continued to function until the time of the Arab conquest , then several disasters occurred and the shape of the lighthouse was changed to some extent , but it still continued to function . Restoration began in the period of Ahmed 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 . In the 14th century there was a very destructive earthquake and the whole building was completely destroyed . 15th - century fortifications . About 1480 AD , the Circassian Mameluke 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 Mameluke period , the Ottoman period and the Modern period , but after the British bombardment of the city 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 . The founder of the Citadel of Qaitbay is a Circassian Sultan named Al - Ashraf Abou Anasr Saif El - Din Qaitbay El - Jerkasy Al - Zahiry ( 1468 - 1496 AD ) who was born about 1423 AD ( 826 AH ) . He was a Mamluke who had come to Egypt as a young man , less than 20 years old . Bought by Al - Ashraf Bersbay , he remained among his attendants until Al - Ashraf Bersbay died . Then the Sultan Djaqmaq bought Qaitbay , and later gave him his freedom . Qaitbay then went on to occupy various posts . He became the Chief of the Army ( Atabec Al - Askar ) during the rule of the Sultan Tamar bugha . When the Sultan was dethroned , Qaitbay was appointed as a Sultan who was titled Almalek Al - Ashraf on Monday 26th Ragab , 872 AH ( 1468 AD ) . He was one of the most important and prominent Mameluke Sultans , ruling for about 29 years . He was a brave king , who tried to initiate a new era with the Ottomans by exchanging embassies and gifts . He was fond of travel and made many prominent journeys . The Edifices Mason . 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 Mameluke 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 . He also renovated the Mosque of El - Sawary outside the gate of Sadrah ( Bab Sadrah ) . Qagmas was intelligent and modest , as well as the overseer of many constructions during the time of Qaitbay . In 882 AH ( 1477 AD ) the Sultan Qaitbay visited the site of the old lighthouse in Alexandria and ordered a fortress to be built on its foundations . The construction lasted about 2 years , and it is said that Qaitbay spent more than a hundred thousand Dinars for the work on the Citadel . Construction . Ibn Ayas mentioned that building of this fort started in the month of Rabi Alawal 882 H . He said that the Sultan Qaitbay travelled to Alexandria , accompanied with some other Mameluke princes , to visit the site of the old lighthouse and during this visit he ordered the building of the Citadel . In the month of Shaban 884 H , the Sultan Qaitbay travelled again to Alexandria when the construction was finished . He provided the fort with a brave legion of soldiers and various weapons . He also , as Ibn Ayas mentioned , dedicated several waqfs from which he financed the construction works as well as the salaries of the soldiers . Throughout the Mameluke period , and due to its strategic location , the Citadel was well maintained by all the rulers who came after Qaitbay . Strengthening of the garrison . The Sultan Qansoh El - Ghoury gave the Citadel special attention . He visited it several times and increased the strength of the garrison , providing it with various weapons and equipment . It included a large prison made for the princes and the state - men whom the Sultan kept away from his favour for some reason . In the episodes of the year 920 H , the Sultan El - Ghoury travelled to Alexandria with other princes . Approach of the Ottoman threat . They went to the Citadel of Qaitbay where he watched some manoeuvres and military training on the defensive weapons of the Citadel of that era . When he felt the approach of the Ottoman threat , he issued a military decree to forbid weapons to be taken out of the Citadel , he even announced that the death penalty would be the punishment to those who try to steal anything from the Citadel , and he ordered the inscription of this decree on a marble slate fixed to the door leading the court . It says : Bism Ellah El - Rahman El - Rahim " A decree by the order of our master , the noble rank , King Al - Ashraf Abou El - Naser Qansoh El - Ghoury , May God eternalise his reign , that no body should take Makahel weapon , gun powder , tools , or any other thing from the noble tower in Alexandria : and any one of the tower party , whether Mameluke , Slaves or Zarad Kashia , who breaks this ( decree ) and leaves the tower with something will be hanged at the gate of the tower , deserving the curse of God . " Dated Rabei Alawal 907 H . After the Ottoman Turks had conquered Egypt , even they cared for this unique Citadel . They used it for shelter , as they had done with the Citadel of Saladin in Cairo and the Citadels of Damieta , Rosetta , Al Borollos and El - Arish . They kept it in good condition and stationed it with infantry , artillery , a company of drummers and trumpeters , masons and carpenters . The Ottoman threat recedes . As the Ottoman military became weak , the Citadel began to lose its military importance . In 1798 AD , during the French expedition of Egypt , it fell into the hands of the French troops , mainly because of the weakness of the Citadel garrison , and the power of the French modern weapons at that time . Inside , the French found some crusader weapons , which dated back to the campaign of Louis IX . These may have been spoils from the battle and capture of El - Mansoura . 19th - century renovation . When Mohammed Ali became the ruler of Egypt in 1805 , he renovated the old Citadel , restoring and repairing its outer ramparts , and he provided the stronghold with the most modern weapons of the period , particularly the littoral cannons . We can consider the reign of Mohamed Ali as being another golden era for the Citadel . The Orabi revolt . The Citadel retained the interest of Mohammed Ali ' s successors until the year 1882 when the Orabi Revolt took place The British fleet bombarded Alexandria violently on 11 July 1882 and damaged a large part of the city , especially in the area of the Citadel . This attack cracked the fortress , causing great damage . The north and western facades were severely damaged as a result of cannon explosions , aimed directly at the structure . The western facade was completely destroyed , leaving large gaps in it . 20th - century renovation . Unfortunately , the Citadel then remained neglected , until 1904 when the Ministry of Defence restored the Upper floors . King Farouk wanted to turn the Citadel into a royal Rest house so he ordered a rapid renovation on it . After the revolution of 1952 the Egyptian Naval troops turned the building to a Maritime Museum . The biggest restoration work dates back to 1984 , when the Egyptian Antiquities Organization made ambitious plans to restore the fort .