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Location

On the ancient island of Pharos, now within the city of Alexandria in Egypt.

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History

 

Shortly after the death of Alexander the Great, Ptolemy Soter assumed power in Egypt. He had witnessed the founding of Alexandria, and established his capital there. Off of the city's coast lies a small island: Pharos. Its name, legend says, is a variation of Pharaoh's Island. The island was connected to the mainland by a dike - the Heptastadion - which gave the city a double harbor. And because of dangerous sailing conditions in the region, a lighthouse was necessary.

The project was initiated by Ptolemy Soter around 290 BC, but was completed after his death, during the reign of his son Ptolemy Philadelphus. Sostratus, a contemporary of Euclid, was the architect, but detailed calculations for the structure and its accessories were carried out at the Alexandria Library/Mouseion. The monument was dedicated to the Savior Gods: Ptolemy Soter and his wife Berenice. For centuries, the Lighthouse of Alexandria was used to mark the harbor, using fire at night and reflecting sun rays during the day. The Lighthouse was even shown on Roman coins.

When the Arabs conquered Egypt, they admired Alexandria and its wealth. The Lighthouse continues to be mentioned in their writings and travelers accounts. The new rulers moved their capital to Cairo since they had no ties to the Mediterranean. The mirror was brought down mistakenly, but not restored back into place. In AD 956, an earthquake shook Alexandria, and caused damage to the Lighthouse. It was later in 1303 and in 1323 that two stronger earthquakes left a significant impression on the structure. When the Arab traveler Ibn Battuta visited Alexandria in 1349, he could not enter the ruined monument.

The final chapter in the history of the Lighthouse came in AD 1480 when the Egyptian Mamelouk Sultan, decided to fortify Alexandria's defense and built a fort on the same spot where the Lighthouse once stood.

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Description

 

The Lighthouse of Alexandria was the last to disappear of the six vanished Wonders. Ancient accounts such as those by Strabo and Pliny the Elder give us a brief description of the "tower" and the magnificent white marble cover. They tell us how the mysterious mirror. Legend says the mirror was also used to burn enemy ships before they could reach the shore.

In 1166, Abou-Haggag Al-Andaloussi visited the Lighthouse. He documented a wealth of information and gave an accurate description of the structure which helped modern archeologists reconstruct it. It composed of three stages: The lowest square, 55.9 m high with a cylindrical core; the middle octagonal with a side length of 18.30 m and a height of 27.45 m and the third circular 7.30 m high. The total height of the building was about 117 m, equivalent to a 40-story modern building. The internal core was used, as a shaft to lift the fuel needed for the fire. At the top stage, the mirror reflected sunlight while fire was used during the night. In ancient times, a statue of Poseidon adorned the summit of the building.

Although the Lighthouse of Alexandria did not survive to the present day, it left its influence in various respects. From an architectural standpoint, the monument has been used as a model for many prototypes along the Mediterranean. And from a linguistic standpoint, it gave its name to all the lighthouses in the world.

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