Lighthouse (Pharos) of Alexandria
Engraving, by Philips Galle, after Maarten van Heemskerck, 1572
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Constructed on the Egyptian island of Pharos around the 3rd century BC, the lighthouse was designed by the Greek architect Sostratus of Cnidus. It stood as a towering beacon, guiding ships through the treacherous waters of the Nile Delta and serving as a symbol of Alexandria's wealth and power. Rising to an estimated height of over 100 metres, it was one of the tallest man-made structures of its time. Its construction from white marble and limestone contributed to its grandeur. The lighthouse was destroyed by a series of earthquakes in the 14th century AD, ending its remarkable reign as one of the most remarkable engineering feats of antiquity.




See Seven Wonders of the World