Ministry of Antiquities to renovate Qaitbay fort

CAIRO – 24 September 2017: The Ministry of Antiquities started conducting specialized studies to renovate the stone on which the Qaitbay Fort was built on. These studies are a collaboration between the Ministry of Antiquities and the Engineering Center for Archaeology and Environment, Cairo University.

The Head of Islamic, Coptic, and Jewish Antiquities Section of Alexandria, Mohamed Metwaly, stressed that the Fort is in a good shape, and that those studies are a part of the minister’s efforts to keep historical buildings safe, according to his statement to MENA.

The Egyptian General Authority for Shores Protection, supervised by the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, started many studies to establish barriers in order to keep the waves away from the stone on which the Fort was based.

Qaitbay Fort is one of the most important symbols of Alexandria. It was built on the remains of the Alexandria Lighthouse, which was one of the ancient seven wonders of the world.

It was built in 882 AD; its construction was finished in 884 AD, as part of the Egyptian defense against the Ottoman kingdom.

Qaitbay Fort is currently one of the most important attractions in Alexandria.