What was special about the Lighthouse of Alexandria?
Table of Contents
-
Introduction
-
Where Was the Lighthouse of Alexandria Located?
-
When was the Lighthouse of Alexandria built?
-
What is the history of the Lighthouse of Alexandria?
-
What is the purpose of the Lighthouse of Alexandria?
-
How tall was the Lighthouse of Alexandria?
-
What happened to the Alexandria lighthouse?
-
Can you visit the Lighthouse of Alexandria?
-
Final thoughts
Introduction
The Lighthouse of Alexandria is one of the remarkable proofs of engineering achievements in the ancient world because of its design and purpose. It was built on the Egyptian coastline of Alexandria, near the Mediterranean Sea. The lighthouse has guided sailors for around 1,600 years before getting submerged in the sea. ]
Egypt is a country where every city carries a unique essence of connection with history. Not all the monuments are standing today, but recorded history has enough proof of their existence in Egypt. So, as a travel company, it’s our core purpose to inform people about the historical monuments that they can explore while on a trip to Egypt.
In this blog, mention the famous historical landmark, the Lighthouse of Alexandria in Egypt. Explaining everything from construction and destruction to the present-day state of the great world wonder in the ancient world.
Where Was the Lighthouse of Alexandria Located?
The Lighthouse of Alexandria was built on Pharos Island on the coast of Alexandria in Egypt. This particular location was chosen because of its strategic location, which helps in guiding the ships in entering the busiest port of Alexandria in the ancient world. It is one of the seven wonders of the world from ancient times, which reflects the intelligence of the constructors of the Ptolemaic kingdom in Egypt.
Back in time, it was considered a navigation tool and a symbol of the city’s wealth and power. During the Ptolemaic kingdom, Alexandria’s coastline was the largest trade center in the Mediterranean world, marking the significance of the lighthouse’s existence.
When was the Lighthouse of Alexandria built?
In the 3rd century BC, after the death of the great Alexander, construction of the lighthouse was begun by Ptolemy I Soter, who was declared king in 305 BC. The construction of the Lighthouse of Alexandria was completed during the regime of his son, Ptolemy II Philadelphus. Around 800 talents (a term used for measuring the amount of silver and gold in the ancient world) are used in the construction of the lighthouse.
What is the history of the Lighthouse of Alexandria?
The Lighthouse of Alexandria was built on an island called Pharos, which was founded by Alexander the Great on the coastline of Egypt. Pharos is a small island that is located in the western Nile Delta. Later, after the construction of the lighthouse, it also inspired many other monuments in history. The blocks of the damaged lighthouse were also used in the construction of the Citadel of Qaitbay in Alexandria in the 15th century, a major defensive fortress.
What is the purpose of the Lighthouse of Alexandria?
- In ancient times, the Lighthouse of Alexandria was considered an extraordinary monument for its massive design and role at the harbor.
- Its architectural structure makes it unique because of a square base for stability, a middle octagonal tower, and a cylindrical top section.
- On top of the lighthouse, a large fire was burned at night to guide ships safely over the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in Egypt.
- During the day, large mirrors and their strategic positioning help in reflecting the sunlight far into the sea.
- It is believed by historians that light reflection was used to reflect light for a dozen kilometers, making it visible for ships to navigate at night.
- It is shorter than the pyramids of Giza but comparatively larger than most of the ancient archaeological sites.
- The Lighthouse of Alexandria plays a major role in making the Mediterranean coastline a major center of trade and has actively helped in navigation for over 1,600 years.
How tall was the Lighthouse of Alexandria?
The height of the Alexandria lighthouse is 103 to 118 m (338 to 387 ft) with a square base of 30 by 30 m (98 by 98 ft). The Lighthouse of Alexandria was one of the tallest monuments that had ever been constructed by humankind. The engineering of the lighthouse was commendable and later helped archaeologists in understanding how taller monuments can be built robustly.
What happened to the Alexandria lighthouse?
The Lighthouse of Alexandria was severely damaged between 956 and 1303 AD by three major earthquakes. It was one of the longest-surviving and actively used monuments for over 1,600 years before it was completely abandoned in 1480 AD. Major earthquakes that were responsible for the destruction of the lighthouse are 956 CE, 1303 CE, and 1323 CE.
This series of earthquakes has gradually destroyed the structures of the lighthouse, and in the 14th century, it collapsed and is no longer a standing monument. This lighthouse is one of the famous monuments from the Ptolemaic age, whose remains were placed in museums and images created in ancient times. It is all that the modern age has to witness: the lighthouse that lit up the harbors of the Mediterranean coastline.
Can you visit the Lighthouse of Alexandria?
No, the tourists cannot see the Lighthouse of Alexandria because it no longer exists. However, the tourists in Egypt, after completing a luxury Dahabiya Nile cruise trip while exploring Alexandria, can visit the Citadel of Qaitbay, a tourist attraction with some remains of the lighthouse. However, after the deconstruction of the lighthouse, large blocks were used to build the Citadel of Qaitbay in the 15th century.
Well, the underwater archaeologists have found the remains of the lighthouse submerged in the harbor, including statues and large blocks that fell during the earthquakes. Tourists can see the digital imprints of the Alexandria lighthouse and its remains while exploring the museums in the city.
Final Thoughts
The legendary Lighthouse of Alexandria is still one of the most fascinating ancient monuments and is widely seen in animated cartoons or paintings depicting the life and stories around the Mediterranean. Some monuments are so great that even their remains tell a royal story of ancient kingdoms and ancient archaeology.
We hope that our blogs are helping you know a lot about the monuments and plan trips in Egypt. So, you can contact us or make bookings for a Dahabiya Nile cruise in Egypt to explore history in a unique way with us.
Other Useful Links