Pharos, Alexandria

The tongue of land between the eastern and western harbors developed out of the ancient causeway known as the Heptastadion which led out to the island of Pharos, site of the famous Lighthouse which was one of the Seven Wonders of the World. On this are the picturesque Arab and Turkish Quarters.

Picture - Exterior view of the Mosque of Abu El Abbas Masjid in Alexandria.

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Related Attractions

Abu el-Abbas el-Mursi Mosque

A notable building to be seen here is the Abu el-Abbas el-Mursi Mosque, built in 1796 over the tomb of the 13th century holy man Abu el-Abbas, who is much revered in Alexandria.

Picture - The high interior walls of the Mosque of Abu El Abbas Masjid in Alexandria.

Mosque of Ibrahim Terbana

A notable building to be seen here is the Mosque of Ibrahim Terbana (1648), which incorporates Graeco-Roman columns.

Fort Qaitbay

At the northern tip of Pharos, on the site of the ancient Lighthouse (finally destroyed by two earthquakes in the 14th C.), is the 15th C. Fort Qaitbay, which houses a small naval Museum.

Picture - Palm tree and Fort Qaitbey at Alexandria.

Picture - View of the Citadel at Alexandria.

Picture - Detail of the Citadel at Alexandria.

Hydrobiological Museum

A short distance southwest from Fort Qaitbay is the Hydrobiological Museum, with an Aquarium.

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Ras el-Tin Palace

At the northwest end of the Pharos Peninsula is the sumptuous Ras el-Tin Palace (Ras el-Tin="Cape of Figs"), which in the time of Mohammed Ali was the royal summer residence and now houses a museum.