Qasr al-Basha

Qasr al-Basha (also known as Radwan Castle and Napoleon's Fort) is formerly a large mansion or castle, now a girl's school, situated in the Old City of Gaza.

History

According to local legend, in the 13th century CE when the Mamluk sultan Zahir Baibars was still a general fighting the Crusaders and Mongols throughout the Levant, he passed through Gaza on several occasions. During one of his visits, Baibars is believed to have married in Gaza and built a grand mansion for his Gazan wife and children. It is said that Qasr al-Basha is what remains of this home; it has the landmark of Baibars which is a sculpture of two lions facing each other and the geometrical patterns and domes, fan and cross vaults are typical Mamluk architecture under Bahri rule.

In the 17th century, Qasr al-Basha served as the fortress home of the ruling Radwan dynasty, who were Ottoman-appointed governors. During this era, the fortress was provided arrow slits as means of defense. Napoleon Bonaparte spent three nights at Qasr al-Basha during his Siege of Acre in 1799, hence the name "Napoleon's Fort". During the British Mandate of Palestine period it was used as a police station, and during the Egyptian rule of Gaza, Qasr al-Basha was turned into a school known as the Princess Ferial School for Girls. After Farouk I of Egypt were deposed in Cairo, the school was renamed to al-Zahra Secondary School for Girls.