Map drawn by K. Machinek, © CEAlex archives
- In the middle of Shallalat public gardens stands the north-eastern corner tower, a salient structure of the outer wall. It has posterns, which lead into the interior space of the double wall
From the Description de l’Égypte, État moderne, volume 2, plate 84.
Photo K. Machinek. © CEAlex archives
- The south-eastern corner tower is not easily accessible these days because it is built into the wall of the sports stadium situated to the south of Shallalat park. Its two semicircular turrets flank a doorway that gave access to the space between the double curtain wall.
Medieval wall tower in the sports stadium. .
From the Description de l’Égypte, État moderne, volume 2, plate 84
Photo K. Machinek. © CEAlex archives
- On a line running between these two vestiges stands a pentagonal solid bastion (G4). This was part of a modern defensive system built in the mid-19th century by the director of fortifications, Gallice Bey. He had reinforced the eastern portion of the Arab wall by creating a perimeter of bastions of low height but solid in order to absorb the impact of enemy cannon balls. The faces of the five bastions were defended by counterguards and by moats, and all were topped with heavy artillery.
Bastion n°3 built by Gallice Bey in 1845 south of Shallalat garden
From the Description de l’Égypte, État moderne, volume 2, plate 84
Photo K. Machinek. © CEAlex archives
- Another construction from Gallice Bey’s fortifications is preserved in Shallalat gardens. This is an armoury (G3) in a casemate semi-bastion, which presents the same form as the previous bastion: its surface is scarped and the wall is topped by a tablet. Two embrasures served as gunports for flanking fire. The point at where the wall has been destroyed, perpendicular to the line of the Arab wall, corresponds to the beginning of the bastion.
The armoury built by Gallice Bey in 1845
From the Description de l’Égypte, État moderne, volume 2, plate 84
Photo K. Machinek. © CEAlex archives
The only example of a medieval fort that exists today is that of Fort Qaitbay (M9), constructed by the Mameluke sultan, Ashraf Qaitbay, in the 15th century. This fortress stands at the entrance to the Eastern Harbour and once surveyed the movement of ships. Today, it is a tourist attraction for foreigners and Egyptians alike
- Its architecture is typically medieval with a high double curtain wall, semi-circular turrets along the length of this wall and a keep in the middle. Despite numerous modifications throughout the centuries, this fortress still preserves its medieval aspect and was never truly transformed into a modern fortification with bastions.
Qaitbay Fort built in the 15th century by the Mameluke Sultan Ashraf Qaitbay
From the Description de l’Égypte, État moderne, volume 2, plate 84
Photo K. Machinek. © CEAlex archives