World Lighthouse Day 2024, August 18
The Pharos of Alexandria, Ancient Egypt
Probably the most famous lighthouse in human history!
Guarding the coast of ancient Egypt, the Pharos of Alexandria stood as a towering beacon, bathed in sun and salt. This colossal structure was more than just a lighthouse—it was a marvel of ingenuity, setting the standard for what would become the modern lighthouse.
For centuries, the Pharos was not only a critical guide for sailors navigating the treacherous waters of the Mediterranean but also a symbol of human achievement, earning its place as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Located on Pharos, a small island connected to the mainland by a dike, the lighthouse became an iconic part of the Alexandrian skyline. Its strategic position allowed it to oversee some of the Mediterranean’s most unpredictable waters and flat coastlines.
The lighthouse’s name, “Pharos,” soon became synonymous with the word "lighthouse" in multiple languages, including French, Italian, and Spanish.
The project was initially commissioned by Ptolemy I Soter, a general under Alexander the Great who later became Pharaoh of Egypt. However, construction gained momentum under his son, Ptolemy II Philadelphus, around 290 BCE. Greek architect Sostratus of Cnidus was tasked with bringing this ambitious vision to life.
His work on the Pharos of Alexandria was nothing short of extraordinary, creating a structure that would not only serve as a vital navigational tool but also as an enduring symbol of human perseverance and innovation.
Engraving "le Phare d'Alexandrie". Design of a historical architecture by Austrian architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach.
#architecture, #Alexandria, #Egypt, #lighthouse, #navigation, #Mediterranean, #Greek, #SevenWonders
