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Qaitbay Citadel, also known as Qaitbay Fort, is one of the most important fortresses on the Mediterranean Sea coast. It was built in 1477 by the Mamluk Sultan Qaitbay on the exact same site of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, on the eastern harbour. The main purpose of erecting the citadel was to protect the city against sea attacks from enemies, especially the Ottomans.
After the collapse of the Mamluk Sultanate due to the discovery of the Cape of Good Hope, Qaitbay Citadel continued to function during the Ottoman and modern periods. Many restorations and renovations were made to the citadel, especially by Mohamed Ali Pasha, who provided the Qaitbay Citadel with modern weapons. After the British bombardment of Alexandria in 1882, Qaitbay Citadel was neglected until the 20th century. Nowadays, Qaitbay Fort is regarded as the symbol of Alexandria and one of its main tourist attractions. The citadel usually hosts Alexandria's major festivals and celebrations.