 Ibn Ayas mentioned that building of this fort started in the month of Rabi Alawal 882 H. He said that the Sultan Qaitbay travelled to Alexandria, accompanied with some other Mameluke princes, to visit the site of the old lighthouse and during this visit he ordered the building of the Citadel.In the month of Shaban 884 H, the Sultan Qaitbay travelled again to Alexandria when the construction was finished.He provided the fort with a brave legion of soldiers and various weapons.