The Lighthouse of Alexandria

The Lighthouse of Alexandria on the island of Pharos was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was built in the third century BCE; its completion is often dated to around 280 BCE. The lighthouse helped mariners navigate near the harbor entrance and remained an important structure for many centuries. The Centre for Alexandrian Studies’ archaeological project estimates that it operated for nearly 16 centuries and links its decline to a sequence of earthquakes, especially the destructive event of 1303. Ancient evidence for the precise lighting apparatus and mirror is incomplete, so popular reconstructions should be treated cautiously.