The Lighthouse of Alexandria

A beacon for a busy port

Alexandria, founded in 331 BCE, became one of the busiest ports of the Mediterranean. Its coast was flat and its approach dangerous, so around 280 BCE a huge lighthouse was completed on the island of Pharos. Ancient writers credit the architect Sostratus of Cnidus.

Design

Descriptions suggest three tiers: a square base, an octagonal middle and a cylindrical top, where a fire burned at night and polished bronze may have reflected sunlight by day. Estimates of its height range around 100 metres or more, making it one of the tallest structures of the ancient world.

A wonder that lasted

The Pharos guided ships for many centuries and became one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was damaged by a series of earthquakes and eventually collapsed. In the 1400s, the Citadel of Qaitbay was built on its site, reportedly reusing some of its stones.

Underwater discoveries

Since the 1990s, underwater archaeologists have mapped huge stone blocks and statues in Alexandria's eastern harbour, some of which may come from the lighthouse. Digital reconstructions combine these finds with ancient descriptions and coins showing the tower.

Engineering lessons

The lighthouse solved a real navigation problem: Alexandria's coast had few natural landmarks and hidden rocks. A tall tower visible far out to sea helped ships find the harbour by day, and a fire at night extended its usefulness. Many later lighthouses around the Mediterranean copied its tiered design. Alexandria itself was a centre of science and scholarship, home to the famous library and to engineers such as Hero.

A lasting word

The name Pharos lives on: the words for lighthouse in French (phare), Spanish and Italian (faro) and other languages come from it, and the study of lighthouses is sometimes called pharology.

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