... the subsequent years saw the Fort at El Quseir used as a base by Muhammad Ali Pasha in his wars versus Arabia. In 1869, the Suez Canal began operating connecting the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Consequently, the strategic relevance of the fort was significantly reduced. It is working life came to an stop in 1975 after plenty of years operating as a base of the Egyptian Coast Guard. At present, the Fort at El Quseir is a modest tourist attraction for folks taking a Red Sea holiday. The town itself doesn't receive many holidaymakers and the 2 hotels at El Quseir are self contained resorts away ... come to the town of El Quseir. At the centre of the town which continues to be relatively untouched by Egypt's growing holiday industry, is the Fort which dates back as far as 1571. The Fort was initially built by Sultan Selim I at a time El Quseir was amongst the most important ports in Egypt. Together with being an essential part in trade routes, Quseir was the departure point for Hajj pilgrims on their journey to Mecca. At the end of the 18th century, the French army under the control of Napoleon took charge of the fort and they held the fort until the British forced them ...
Tags: travel | leisure | destinations | history | culture | society |