Salah El-Din Castle, Medieval fortress on Pharaoh's Island, Gulf of Aqaba, Egypt
The castle comprises two sections positioned on elevated terrain, featuring defensive towers, soldier quarters, bathhouses, and large kitchens with substantial ovens.
Baldwin I of Jerusalem constructed the fortress in 1116 AD at the intersection of trade routes between Egypt and Syro-Palestine leading to the Arabian Peninsula.
The fortress incorporated specialized pigeon towers for message communication systems, reflecting medieval military communication methods in the region.
The strategic location at the narrowest section of the Gulf of Aqaba provided natural defenses and control over maritime traffic between Egypt and Arabia.
Multiple civilizations, including the Crusaders, Mamluks, and Ottomans, modified and expanded the fortress structure throughout different historical periods.
Location: Sinai Peninsula
GPS coordinates: 29.46352,34.85991
Latest update: March 6, 2025 00:41
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