Egypt Attractions

Venue: Fort Qaitbey    When: Daily

Built in the 1480s by Sultan Qaitbey on the ancient island of Pharos, Fort Qaitbey stands where one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World once stood and offers a marvellous view of Alexandria and the Mediterranean sea.

For centuries, the Lighthouse of Alexandria (or Pharos Lighthouse) stood guard over the harbour, using fire at night and reflecting the sun's rays with a giant mirror by day. The 120-metre tower had around 300 rooms at the bottom, and some claim that the reflected light from the lantern was visible up to 56km away. The incredible construction was destroyed by two earthquakes, in 1303 and in 1323/6(?). The remains were used in the construction of the old fort.

Alexandria's Naval Museum, containing artefacts from Roman and Napoleonic sea battles, is also housed here.