WHERE CAN WE FIND THE LIGHTHOUSE OF ALEXANDRIA?

       As we all know, the Lighthouse of Alexandria is one of the wonders of the Ancient World. It is also known the Pharos of Alexanddria and this tower was built between 280 and 247 BC on the island of Pharos at Alexandria, Egypt. Its purpose was to guide sailors into the harbor and it gives light at night time to make them safe at their trip in the sea. The Pharos rises at the end of the island. The building is square, about 8.5 metres (28 ft) each side. The sea surrounds the Pharos except on the east and south sides. This platform measures, along its sides, from the tip, down to the foot of the Pharos walls, 6.5 metres (21 ft) in height. However, on the sea side, it is larger because of the construction and is steeply inclined like the side of a mountain. As the height of the platform increases towards the walls of the Pharos its width narrows until it arrives at the measurements above. ... The doorway to the Pharos is high up. A ramp about 183 metres (600 ft) long used to lead up to it. This ramp rests on a series of curved arches; my companion got beneath one of the arches and stretched out his arms but he was not able to reach the sides. There are 16 of these arches, each gradually getting higher until the doorway is reached, the last one being especially high. The consecration in honor of Ptolemy was then carved into the plaster, which over time peeled  away leaving only Sostratos dedication, which provides, "Sostratos of Cnidus, son of Dexiphanes, to the savior gods, for sailors. That is in the greek mythology.

      In the map, the island of Pharos was small just coast of Alexandria. It was linked to the mainland by man-made connection named the Heptastadion. The tower erected there guided mariners at night, through its fire and reflective mirrors, as well as being a landmark by day. It was linked to the mainland by man-made connection named the Heptastadion. The architect was Sostratos, a Greek from the Asia Minor city of Cnidus, whose name also appears on the sanctuary of Appolo at Delphi and on Delos. Though only the king's name was allowed on buildings erected during their reigns in the period, Sostratos got around this by also carving his own with a dedication, which was then covered with plaster. Now lets discuss the construction and destruction of this tower.

The Construction and destruction of the Lighthouse of Alexandria

    

        This tower or this lighthouse of Alexandria was completed in the 3rd century BC during the time of Alexander the great. After the Alexander died of fever at age of 32  Ptolemy Soter announced himself king in 305 BC, and commissioned its construction shortly thereafter and this building was finished during his son named Ptolemy Philadelpho's throne. Constructed from large blocks of light-coloured stone, the tower was made up of three stages: a lower square section with a central core, a middle octagonal section, and, at the top, a circular section. At its apex was positioned a mirror which reflected sunlight during the day; a fire was lit at night to guide and gives light to the sailors at night and make them safe.

          This is the design of the tower. It can give you an idea on how to get inside the tower or the lighthouse of Alexandria. There you can see the descriptions of the tower.

          

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