Napoleon Siege and Military History
Follow the story of the famous 1799 siege of Akko when Napoleon Bonaparte failed to take the city, his Egyptian campaign stalling before the walls that Jazzar Pasha and British naval officer Sidney Smith successfully defended.
- 1
Napoleon Hill
Stand on the hill outside the city walls from which Napoleon directed his artillery bombardment of Akko in 1799, the failure to take the city in 62 days of siege forcing his retreat and ending his dream of Eastern Empire.
- 2
Siege Breach Point
See the point in the city walls where Napoleon's forces created a breach and briefly entered the city before being pushed back, the French soldiers unable to exploit their breakthrough against the determined defense.
- 3
British Naval Position
Look out to sea from the harbor walls toward where British warships under Commodore Sidney Smith anchored to supply the defenders and intercept French ammunition supply ships, their naval presence being decisive in the outcome.
- 4
Jazzar Pasha Tower
See the Jazzar Pasha tower where the Ottoman governor personally directed the defense, his fierce reputation having earned him the name al-Jazzar (the Butcher) for his methods of dealing with both enemies and subjects.
- 5
Crusader Wall Incorporated
Examine the section of wall where Ottoman engineers incorporated Crusader stonework into Jazzar's new fortifications, the practical reuse of medieval engineering representing the layered history visible throughout Akko.
- 6
Historical Panorama
From the walls take in the panorama that Napoleon saw from his siege lines, the view of the city that remained unconquered and became the turning point of his campaign, the failure at Akko changing the history of the Middle East.
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