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