The Citadel of Qaitbay was built in the 15th century to defend the Egyptian coast. It was located on the northern tip of Pharos Island, part of the harbor complex of Alexandria. Beneath it is stonework that may be the foundations of the city's lighthouse, one of the wonders of the Hellenistic world.
As a further note, ancient sources suggest that Ptolemy II had a retreat center on this same island and it was here that the Old Testament Scriptures were translated from Hebrew to Greek in the early third century BC. That effort is called the Septuagint.
We'll be visiting Alexandria again May 5-19, 2026, as part of a tour of Biblical Egypt. Will you join us?