| This light house of Alexandria was one of the | | | | Ptolemy Philadelphus. Sostratus who lived in the |
| useful of the seven wonders of the world (for | | | | same time as Euclid, was the architect. This used |
| the sailors to return to the Great Harbor), which | | | | to remain in the harbor for centuries. This wonder |
| is a small differentiates it, when compared with | | | | of the world also depicted in the Roman coins |
| the other wonders of the world. The mirror which | | | | that time.The writings of the Arab conquerors are |
| was mounted on this lighthouse could reflect the | | | | very good source of information about this |
| light more than 35 miles off-shore. Of the 6 | | | | lighthouse. The new rulers moved the capital to |
| ancient destroyed wonders, this was the last to | | | | the Cairo. So this place had lost its importance. |
| be destroyed around 1480 AD.Location:On the | | | | Three earthquakes stuck in various periods |
| ancient island of Pharos, now a promontory on | | | | (around AD 956, AD 1303 and AD 1323 ) have |
| the harbor of the city of Alexandria in | | | | damaged the lighthouse significantly. The during |
| Egypt.Description:This lighthouse was built around | | | | AD 1480 the Egyptian Mamelouk Sultan, has built |
| 280 BC and was around 134 m in height. This was | | | | a medieval fort at the same place. That was the |
| built in the city of Alexandria.The light house had a | | | | end to the story of the light house.There are |
| good mirror which can reflect the sun light to a | | | | some more tales to the light house. Sostratus |
| very long distance. Mythical stories used to say | | | | after he completed the lighthouse wanted his |
| that this mirror was used to burn the enemy | | | | name to be carved on the light house. This was |
| ships.The Macedonian conqueror, Alexander during | | | | not allowed by Ptolemy II Philadelphus. Ptolemy II |
| his successful reign, had tried establishing | | | | wanted his name to be carved on the structure. |
| approximately 17 cities in the name of Alexandria. | | | | But what Sostratus did is he first carved his |
| The only one survived long was the one in Egypt. | | | | name underneath, put plasters on it and then |
| That too even this city was not completely built | | | | carved Ptolemy II's name. After some years, the |
| by Alexander. The completion of the construction | | | | plasters worn out and his name has come out to |
| of this city was achieved by his commander | | | | be known to all.The design of the lighthouse was |
| Ptolemy I Soter.Ptolemy connected Alexandria to | | | | unlike the modern slim lighthouse towers. This was |
| the Pharos island by a bridge. It was realized that | | | | built in 3 stages, each built on top of the |
| the sailing in this coastal region is very dangerous. | | | | lower.This lighthouse was so popular that the |
| That is why he decided to build a light house. This | | | | word Pharos came into French, Spanish and Italian |
| project was initiated during Ptolemy's reign in 290 | | | | to mean lighthouse. |
| BC and completed after his death by his son | | | | |