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Watani
20 hours ago
- Watani
Alexandria's Qaitbay Citadel gets visitor centre
A new Visitor Centre has opened in the 15th century Citadel of Qaitbay in Alexandria. The centre, which was set up in one of the halls of the citadel's main tower, was built in cooperation between the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the French Centre for Alexandrian Studies. Bassem Ibrahim, Director of the General Administration of Tourist, Archaeological Sites, and Museums Services explained that the new centre features nine bilingual information panels in Arabic and English. He pointed out that these are supported by maps and illustrative diagrams that facilitate understanding the historical and structural dynamics of the citadel area. Furthermore, a screen is in place showing a film about the site of Alexandria's famous ancient lighthouse. According to Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, the project to establish the Visitor Centre falls within the framework of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' strategy to enhance visitors' experience of Alexandria as a beacon of history and culture. The idea is for the Visitor Centre to shed light on Qaitbay Citadel and the area around it, which was a pivotal part of the royal district of ancient Alexandria, Mr Khaled explained. The most prominent historical sites in the vicinity of the Qaitbay Citadel are the ancient lighthouse and the eastern port. The centre should provide necessary information on several unique archaeological facilities, including the Royal Port, the Timonium Building, Antirhodos Island, the marine docks, and the shipyards, Mr Ibrahim said. He pointed out that the Visitor Centre also shows the development of Alexandria's defensive fortifications, with special focus on the historical role of the Qaitbay Citadel. The fortifications constructed during the reign of Muhammad Ali Pasha along the northern coast, get their share in the Visitor Centre, Dr Ibrahim said. Qaitbay Citadel is one of the most important forts on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The Mamluk Sultan al-Ashraf Abu al-Nasr Qaitbay built it between 1477AD and 1479AD over the ruins of Alexandria's ancient Lighthouse. It served as Alexandria's defence against naval attacks. Built with limestone and spanning an area of some 17550 sq.m, the Citadel's outer wall was plotted with defence towers surrounding the building. Watani International 9 June 2025 Comments comments Tags: Nevine KameelTags: Qaitbay Citadel Alexandria
Al-Ahram Weekly
2 days ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Tourism Ministry inaugurates new visitor centre of Alexandria's Qaitbay Citadel - Ancient Egypt
The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has inaugurated a newly equipped visitor centre at the Qaitbay Citadel in Alexandria, enhancing visitors' experience at one of Egypt's most iconic historical landmarks. The centre, housed within one of the citadel's main tower halls, was developed in collaboration with the French Centre for Alexandrian Studies. The initiative comes as part of a broader objective to raise the standard of visitor services across museums and archaeological sites nationwide, ensuring that guests enjoy not only Egypt's distinguished monuments but also a high-quality and informative experience. 'This centre is a vital step in reimagining how we connect the public with Egypt's layered history, especially in Alexandria, one of the most storied cities of the ancient and modern world,' said Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Mohamed Ismail Khaled. He also highlighted the project's strategic importance within the ministry's ongoing efforts to promote site interpretation and cultural communication. The new facility offers visitors a deeper understanding of the rich historical context of the area surrounding Qaitbay Citadel. It focuses particularly on the ancient Eastern Harbor and the site of the fabled Lighthouse of Alexandria, once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. These were key elements of the royal quarter of ancient Alexandria and serve as vital touchstones in the city's maritime and architectural legacy. "The centre presents curated information about a number of unique archaeological features associated with the site, including the Royal Harbour, the Timonium (a structure associated with Marc Antony), Antirhodos Island, ancient shipyards, and stone quays," said Bassem Ibrahim, director general of Visitor Services at Museums and Archaeological Sites. In addition, the centre traces the evolution of Alexandria's defensive architecture from the medieval era to the 19th century. This highlights the historical significance of Qaitbay Citadel and the extensive fortifications commissioned by Mohamed Ali Pasha along Egypt's northern coast. The center's exhibit features nine bilingual information panels in Arabic and English, accompanied by detailed maps and diagrams that provide visitors with an engaging narrative of the region's architectural and historical development. A dedicated screening area shows a short documentary film on the ancient lighthouse, while comfortable seating areas invite guests to pause and reflect during their visit. The opening of the Qaitbay visitor centre marks another important achievement in the ministry's vision to transform archaeological sites into fully immersive, educational, and accessible destinations. It also reaffirms Alexandria's place at the heart of Egypt's cultural tourism offerings, inviting local and international visitors to rediscover its maritime past and enduring legacy. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
