Summary
- The Lighthouse of Alexandria, built on Egypt’s Pharos Island between 284–246 BC, was a towering beacon that guided sailors safely to Alexandria’s bustling port.
- Standing up to 393 feet high, it was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and a technological masterpiece of the Hellenistic era.
- Commissioned by Ptolemy I and completed under Ptolemy II, it featured a tiered design and a light powered by fire and mirrors, visible for miles.
- Despite enduring for centuries, it was eventually destroyed by earthquakes in the 14th century.
- Its ruins were rediscovered underwater in the 1990s and are now protected by UNESCO.
- Though the original is gone, its legacy shines on in Alexandria and global culture as a symbol of ancient innovation and maritime brilliance.
Pharos of Alexandria was an ethereal shepherd who guided countless ships and travelers from all over the ancient world across the Mediterranean Sea. The lighthouse of Alexandria gave hope for sailors from every corner of the earth across the seven seas with a divine beacon of light that paved a golden path leading to the safe haven of the docks of the legendary city of Alexandria.
The towering golden Lighthouse of Alexandria used to be one of the most magnificent and captivating structures of the ancient world found on the magical island of Pharos in Alexandria; it has enchanted the imagination of countless historians, architects, and travelers for many ages with its magnificent history, architecture, and art during and after the Hellenistic period until the current time.
Like the great pyramids of Giza, the lighthouse of Alexandria was carved by celestial figures to be one of the tallest man-made structures on Earth, which has the power to cross skies, dimensions, and illuminate angelic light rays of bliss and belonging. It was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, which was the official motto of the entire Egyptian civilization during the entire Hellenistic period for about a thousand years, and was revered as one of the most incredible technological achievements in existence until the moment it broke into pieces.
When was the Lighthouse of Alexandria built?
The Construction of the Lighthouse of Alexandria began between 284 & 246 BC during the reign of Ptolemy I Soter, the successor of Alexander the Great and founder of the Ptolemaic dynasty. It was completed under the supervision of his son Ptolemy II Philadelphus (280–247 BC). For over a thousand years, it has guided an infinite number of ships across the sea while standing as a testament to human ingenuity and the grandeur of the Hellenistic period. It lasted for over 1500 years, which made as the third longest surviving ancient wonder after the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus.
Why was the Lighthouse of Alexandria built?
The primary purpose of the Lighthouse of Alexandria was to serve as a navigational aid for sailors entering the bustling port of Alexandria. With its strategic location at the intersection of major trade routes in the Mediterranean, Alexandria was a hub of maritime activity. The lighthouse guided ships into the harbor, warning them of dangerous reefs and offering a guiding light during the night.
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What happened to the Lighthouse of Alexandria?
Despite its grandeur, the Lighthouse of Alexandria did not withstand the test of time and the full fury of the powers of nature. The celestial lighthouse stood for several centuries, over 1500 years, while enduring two earthquakes in 796 and 951 AD and other natural disasters. However, its eventual demise came in 1303 and 1323 AD when an earthquake struck the region that originated from the Island of Crete, which made the lighthouse gradually fall into disrepair and was eventually dismantled for construction materials in the 15th-century Mamluk period.
The Incredible Construction of the Lighthouse of Alexandria
The order to build of lighthouse came from Ptolemy I Soter when he gave the order to his architect Sostratus of Cnidus, who was very close to him and his son. It was completed on the southeast corner of the island of Pharos around 12 years with the vision in mind to match the Great Pyramid in height. The lighthouse was completed for a total cost equivalent of 800 talents of silver. It had a height of 350 feet (110 metres) high which was made by solid blocks of limestone and granite, which were quarried around Wadi Hammamat.
The light had a range between 30 to 100 miles; during the day, the mirror reflected the light, while at night, the fire was lit through a powerful furnace. Since its construction, it has been a technological triumph and has become the archetype of all the lighthouses in the world. During the Middle Ages, in the Mamluk period around 1477 AD, Sultan Al-Ashraf Sayf al-Din Qa'it Bay used the salvaged rocks of the light to create the Qaitbey citadel in the same place to be a protective stronghold designed to guard the entire city of Alexandria from any foreign attack.
Explore the Unique Architecture of the Lighthouse of Alexandria
The Lighthouse of Alexandria was an architectural masterpiece, standing at an estimated height of 393 feet (120 meters) on a 30 by 30 m (98 by 98 ft) square base. It was constructed in three tiers: a square lower section, an octagonal middle section, and a cylindrical upper section.
The exterior was made primarily of limestone blocks, while the interior featured a spiral ramp leading to the top. At the summit, a large, enchanting mirror or statue of the god Zeus or Poseidon is believed to have been present, reflecting sunlight during the day and fire at night.
The Rediscovery of the Legendary Lighthouse of Alexandria
A number of attempts has been going on since 1968 to rediscover the lighthouse by the UNESCO by making some underwater missions in the Mediterranean sea by it was out on hold many times until a French archaeologist in 1994 by the name Jeans-Yves Empereur was able to uncover many ruins on the floor of Alexandria’s Eastern Harbor. Many cinematographers were able to detect many visions of columns and statues, plus several huge blocks of granite weighing up to more than 40 to 60 tons, plus 30 Sphinxes and 5 obelisks that date to the reign of Ramses II (1279-1213 BC).
Over 3,300 pieces were cataloged by Empereur and his team in 1995. The entire area is under UNESCO Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage, where the Bay of Alexandria was added to a list of the World Heritage List of submerged sites. In 2016, the Egyptian Government declared the possibility of establishing an underwater museum that explores all these glorious submerged marvels.
Cast Your Eyes On the Epic Lighthouse of Alexandria Ruins
Today, only ruins and remnants of the Lighthouse of Alexandria remain. The exact location of the lighthouse is epically debated between several historians, with some suggesting it was situated on the eastern tip of the island of Pharos, while others propose it was way closer to the mainland.
Many excavations and underwater surveys have revealed sections of the lighthouse's foundations and some of its incredible artifacts, such as coins, artifacts, and statues. These remnants provide incredibly valuable insights into the scale and design of the original structure.
What Is the Lighthouse of Alexandria Doing Now
While the Lighthouse of Alexandria no longer stands, its legacy lives on as it can be seen across an infinite number of art and literature from different world, culture, and times such as the book of Julius Caeser “ Civil Wars” in 48 BC, Records of Foreign Peoples by Zhao Rugua (1170–1228 AD), Ibn Battuta visited the lighthouse in 1326 AD.
Alexandria, the city in which the lighthouse once guided ships, now boasts a modern lighthouse in its honor. The modern structure, known as the Alexandria Lighthouse, stands near the original location of its ancient predecessor, offering a symbolic connection to the city's maritime past.
Explore the Magical Lighthouse of Alexandria Facts:
- The Lighthouse of Alexandria was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, a prestigious list compiled by the ancient Greeks.
- The lighthouse was designed by the Greek architect Sostratus of Cnidus.
- Its light was fueled by a fire at the top, which burned wood or oil, and a reflecting mirror by day.
- The construction of the lighthouse was an engineering feat for its time, with its precision and innovative design.
- It is estimated that the lighthouse took around 12 years to complete.
Explore one of the Greatest Monuments In the History of the World
The ethereal Lighthouse of Alexandria stands as a visionary epic testament to the engineering prowess and artistic vision of the ancient world. Created to guide ships and protect sailors, it captured the imagination of great people for many centuries. Although the original lighthouse is no longer found, its memory, magic, and influence endure for millennia through the ruins and the modern lighthouse that stands in its place.
The Lighthouse of Alexandria remains a cherished, magical icon of human ingenuity, greatness, and magnificence that reminds us of the remarkable achievements of our great ancestors. All our honorable guests will have the chance to enjoy the most wonderful and fun travel experience through our marvelous Egypt tours and Nile cruise among all the immortal gems of Egypt.
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