| The Lighthouse of Alexandria is one of the | | | | The third section was an eight-sided |
| Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It is the | | | | structure measuring roughly 27 m (90 ft) |
| most recent Wonder to be built, having been | | | | high. It also contained a similar |
| built during the reign of Ptolemy I of Egypt, | | | | transportation shaft in the middle.On top of |
| a commander under Alexander the Great who | | | | this was a circular tower that housed the |
| took over control of Egypt after Alexander's | | | | fire (for use to alert ships during the |
| death. Historical records indicate that the | | | | night) and the great mirror (for use during |
| Lighthouse was commissioned in 290 B.C. and | | | | the day). A statue of Poseidon stood on top |
| completed some 2 decades later.The Lighthouse | | | | this tower.The Pharos Lighthouse was a true |
| of Alexandria is also the most well-recorded | | | | wonder in architecture and engineering, |
| of the six destroyed members of the Seven | | | | bearing similarities to modern skyscrapers. |
| Wonders of The Ancient World (the Pyramids of | | | | It measured up to a modern 40-story building. |
| Giza being the only Wonder still standing), | | | | The Greeks were so impressed with it that |
| since it was still in operation until a | | | | they included it as one of the Seven Wonders |
| serious of earthquakes demolished the | | | | of the Ancient World.The mirror of the Pharos |
| structure over a few decades in the early | | | | Lighthouse appeared to be quite famous in |
| 14th century.Since it survived until so | | | | ancient times. Many people believed that the |
| recently, the writings of many of the | | | | mirror was so smooth and powerful that it |
| travelers who visited the Lighthouse of | | | | could be used to reflect the sun's rays onto |
| Alexandria also survived till this day, | | | | invading ships and burn them. Another belief |
| vividly describing what the Lighthouse looked | | | | was that the mirror was so strong it could be |
| like and what it was used for.The Lighthouse | | | | used to observe and spy on competing |
| of Alexandria was built on the island of | | | | city-states across the Mediterranean Sea, |
| Pharos just off the coast of Alexandria, | | | | more than 100 miles away. However, it is |
| Egypt. As such, it was also commonly known as | | | | highly unlikely that either of these stories |
| the Pharos Lighthouse. The Lighthouse was | | | | are true.From historical evidence, it appears |
| designed by the famed architect Sostratus, | | | | that the Pharos Lighthouse was also a tourist |
| and was so complicated that it took 2 decades | | | | attraction. Hundreds of visitors climbed the |
| to be completed. The best description came | | | | Lighthouse everyday to enjoy the fantastic |
| from the writings of Arab traveler | | | | view around Alexandria. Food vendors also |
| Abou-Haggag Al-Andaloussi when he visited the | | | | sold their goods at the top of each section |
| Pharos Lighthouse in 1166.The writings | | | | of the Pharos.However, the Pharos Lighthouse |
| indicated that the structure consisted of 4 | | | | was damaged by earthquakes, becoming totally |
| main sections. At the bottom was a platform | | | | demolished in the early 14th century. Its |
| filled with statues that are still being | | | | ruins and location were subsequently used by |
| discovered by present-day divers off the | | | | the Egyptian Sultan Qaitbay to build a fort |
| coast of Alexandria. Some researchers believe | | | | in 1480, thus ending the story for this |
| that ships docked just off this platform as | | | | Wonder of the World.Steven maintains the |
| well.On top of this platform stood a square | | | | informational website Wonders of Ancient |
| structure measuring 18 m (60 ft) on each side | | | | Egypt at . Do visit if you want to find out |
| and roughly 56 m (184 ft) tall. In the middle | | | | more about the wonders of Egypt such as the |
| of this section is a shaft and stairwell used | | | | Pyramids and the Lighthouse; or mysteries |
| for transporting material and fuel up the | | | | such as mummifcation and conspiracy theories; |
| Pharos Lighthouse, and for visitors as well. | | | | or its religion and history. |