An-Nekhel Fortress

The square stone fortress features high defensive walls, towers, gates, and a large water reservoir positioned at an elevation of 408 meters.

Sultan Al-Ashraf Qansuh Al-Ghuri constructed the fortress in the 16th century, later modified by Ottoman forces after Sultan Selim's 1517 conquest of Egypt.

The fortress functioned as a vital stopping point on the traditional pilgrimage route to Mecca, offering protection and water to travelers crossing the Sinai.

The site requires advance planning for visits due to its remote location in the center of the Sinai Peninsula, with limited facilities in the surrounding area.

During World War I, Turkish forces deliberately destroyed sections of the fortress, leading to its subsequent abandonment by British military units in 1917.

Location: Sinai Peninsula

GPS coordinates: 29.91190,33.74554

Latest update: March 6, 2025 00:40