A new visitor center has opened inside the historic Qaitbay Citadel in Alexandria, offering an enriched educational experience for those exploring one of Egypt’s most prominent coastal fortresses. The facility, located within one of the main tower halls of the Mamluk-era structure, was developed in cooperation with the French Center for Alexandrian Studies.
The project aligns with directives from Sherif Fathy, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, who has called for comprehensive efforts to improve the quality of services at museums and archaeological sites across the country. The new center is intended to provide a more immersive and informative experience for both local and international visitors.
Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, described the initiative as part of the Ministry’s broader strategy to advance on-site interpretation and foster deeper cultural engagement with Egypt’s heritage. He emphasized Alexandria’s enduring role as a center of political, commercial, and intellectual significance from antiquity through the Islamic and modern periods.
Connecting Fortress to Pharos: A Maritime Cultural Landscape
The center is designed not only to illuminate the historical significance of the Qaitbay Citadel itself but also to contextualize its setting within a broader archaeological and urban landscape. Among the surrounding heritage sites are the remains of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria—one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World—and the adjacent Eastern Harbor, once a key sector of the royal quarter of the Greco-Roman city.
Dr. Bassem Ibrahim, Director General of Visitor Services for Museums and Archaeological Sites, noted that the exhibition highlights a range of historical features linked to the city’s maritime identity. These include the Royal Harbor, the Timonium of Mark Antony, Antirhodos Island, ancient docks, and shipbuilding basins.
The center also presents the evolution of Alexandria’s defensive architecture, focusing not only on the Qaitbay Citadel—built in the 15th century on the presumed site of the ancient lighthouse—but also on coastal fortifications constructed during the reign of Muhammad Ali Pasha in the 19th century.
Bilingual Interpretation and Multimedia Presentation
The content is presented through nine bilingual (Arabic and English) interpretive panels, supported by maps and architectural diagrams, allowing visitors to follow the chronological and structural development of the area with clarity.
A video display provides additional visual material on the ancient lighthouse site, and designated seating areas offer comfort and space for reflection within the hall.
The opening of this center marks a key milestone in enhancing the presentation of Alexandria’s layered coastal history and reflects Egypt’s ongoing efforts to bridge preservation with public accessibility.
