Alexandria lighthouse

Alexandria lighthouse

The lighthouse of Alexandria was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, a listing of notable objects built between about 3000 B.C. and A.D. 476. The lighthouse was designed by the Greek architect Sostratos and built sometime between 283 and 246 B.C. Set on a stone platform on the island of Pharos in the harbor, it stood more than 400 feet (120 meters) high. The bottom section of the lighthouse was square, the middle eight-sided, and the top circular. On its top burned a fire to guide ships entering and leaving the harbor. So renowned was this manmade marvel that the word pharos became synonymous with lighthouse. By the time Ibn Batuta made his visits, the famous landmark had begun to crumble from neglect.

Excerpt adapted from the "Seven Wonders of the Ancient World" article, The World Book Encyclopedia © 1999