a stone castle with a flag on top of it

The Citadel of Qaitbay is one of the most important defensive forts on the Mediterranean coast. It was built by the Mamluk Sultan Al-Ashraf Abu Al-Nasr Qaitbay between (882-884 AH / 1477-1479 AD) on the ruins of the ancient lighthouse of Alexandria at the eastern end of Pharos Island (present-day Anfoushi) to fortify the city of Alexandria and protect it from naval invasions. The castle was built of limestone on an area of about 1750 m2 Around it is surrounded by an outer wall interspersed with defensive towers.