Seven Wonders of the World - Light House of Alexandria

This light house of Alexandria was one of thePtolemy Philadelphus. Sostratus who lived in the
useful of the seven wonders of the world (forsame time as Euclid, was the architect. This used
the sailors to return to the Great Harbor), whichto remain in the harbor for centuries. This wonder
is a small differentiates it, when compared withof the world also depicted in the Roman coins
the other wonders of the world. The mirror whichthat time.The writings of the Arab conquerors are
was mounted on this lighthouse could reflect thevery good source of information about this
light more than 35 miles off-shore. Of the 6lighthouse. The new rulers moved the capital to
ancient destroyed wonders, this was the last tothe Cairo. So this place had lost its importance.
be destroyed around 1480 AD.Location:On theThree 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 indamaged the lighthouse significantly. The during
Egypt.Description:This lighthouse was built aroundAD 1480 the Egyptian Mamelouk Sultan, has built
280 BC and was around 134 m in height. This wasa medieval fort at the same place. That was the
built in the city of Alexandria.The light house had aend to the story of the light house.There are
good mirror which can reflect the sun light to asome more tales to the light house. Sostratus
very long distance. Mythical stories used to sayafter he completed the lighthouse wanted his
that this mirror was used to burn the enemyname to be carved on the light house. This was
ships.The Macedonian conqueror, Alexander duringnot allowed by Ptolemy II Philadelphus. Ptolemy II
his successful reign, had tried establishingwanted 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 builtcarved Ptolemy II's name. After some years, the
by Alexander. The completion of the constructionplasters worn out and his name has come out to
of this city was achieved by his commanderbe known to all.The design of the lighthouse was
Ptolemy I Soter.Ptolemy connected Alexandria tounlike the modern slim lighthouse towers. This was
the Pharos island by a bridge. It was realized thatbuilt 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. Thisword Pharos came into French, Spanish and Italian
project was initiated during Ptolemy's reign in 290to mean lighthouse.
BC and completed after his death by his son