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