Damietta, Port city in Nile Delta, Egypt
This port town sits on the eastern bank of a Nile branch in the delta, roughly 15 kilometers from the Mediterranean and 200 kilometers north of Cairo. The settlement runs along the river, connecting residential quarters with harbor facilities and industrial zones.
The town faced repeated attacks during the Crusades, prompting Mamluk sultan Baybars I to move it further inland between 1260 and 1277. This shift aimed to make future raids harder and offer residents greater safety.
Local craftsmen make wooden furniture that sells in many Arab and European countries. This traditional skill still shapes the economic life of the town.
The harbor serves as an alternative route when weather disrupts other Mediterranean ports. Travelers should note that maritime activity varies with the season and weather conditions.
The Amr ibn al-As Mosque ranks among the oldest Islamic buildings in Egypt, built shortly after the Muslim conquest. Its architectural evolution reflects centuries of religious practice.
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