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This Ottoman fortress in the
town center of Quseir is certainly worth a visit. It was
built in the 16 century century during the reign of Sultan
Selim to protect trade links with
India
. Napoleon's troops occupied the fortress in 1799,
fortifying it with cannons mounted high on the walls. They
also added a new viewing platform. A few years later,
British forces ejected the French after a fierce battle and
added a new gate to the fortress. The opening of the
Suez Canal in 1869 led to the decline of
Quseir and its fortress
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Recently,
restoration work on the fortress has been completed. Cannons
are once again pointing seawards from their original gun
ports. The viewing platform was also restored with the help
of illustrations from the Déscription de l'Égypte that had
been commissioned by Napoleon. The fortress now houses the
new
Visitor
Center
containing displays on local history, archaeology and
culture of the surrounding region.
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