The Lighthouse of Alexandria, constructed between 284–246 BC on Egypt’s Pharos Island, was a 393-foot marvel that safely guided sailors to Alexandria's port. Recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, it used fire and mirrors to project light. Commissioned by Ptolemy I and completed by Ptolemy II, it stood for centuries before being destroyed by 14th-century earthquakes. Its submerged ruins were rediscovered in the 1990s and are now protected by UNESCO. Today, it remains a lasting icon of ancient engineering and maritime brilliance.
Pharos of Alexandria was an ethereal shepherd who guided countless ships and travelers from all over the ancient world across the Mediterranean Sea. The lighthouse of Alexandria gave hope for sailors from every corner of the earth across the seven seas with a divine beacon of light that paved a golden path leading to the safe haven of the docks of the legendary city of Alexandria.
The towering golden Lighthouse of Alexandria used to be one of the most magnificent and captivating structures of the ancient world found on the magical island of Pharos in Alexandria; it has enchanted the imagination of countless historians, architects, and travelers for many ages with its magnificent history, architecture, and art during and after the Hellenistic period until the current time.
Like the great pyramids of Giza, the lighthouse of Alexandria was carved by celestial figures to be one of the tallest man-made structures on Earth, which has the power to cross skies, dimensions, and illuminate angelic light rays of bliss and belonging. It was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, which was the official motto of the entire Egyptian civilization during the entire Hellenistic period for about a thousand years, and was revered as one of the most incredible technological achievements in existence until the moment it broke into pieces.
The Construction of the Lighthouse of Alexandria began between 284 & 246 BC during the reign of Ptolemy I Soter, the successor of Alexander the Great and founder of the Ptolemaic dynasty. It was completed under the supervision of his son Ptolemy II Philadelphus (280–247 BC). For over a thousand years, it has guided an infinite number of ships across the sea while standing as a testament to human ingenuity and the grandeur of the Hellenistic period. It lasted for over 1500 years, which made as the third longest surviving ancient wonder after the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus.
The primary purpose of the Lighthouse of Alexandria was to serve as a navigational aid for sailors entering the bustling port of Alexandria. With its strategic location at the intersection of major trade routes in the Mediterranean, Alexandria was a hub of maritime activity. The lighthouse guided ships into the harbor, warning them of dangerous reefs and offering a guiding light during the night.
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Despite its grandeur, the Lighthouse of Alexandria did not withstand the test of time and the full fury of the powers of nature. The celestial lighthouse stood for several centuries, over 1500 years, while enduring two earthquakes in 796 and 951 AD and other natural disasters. However, its eventual demise came in 1303 and 1323 AD when an earthquake struck the region that originated from the Island of Crete, which made the lighthouse gradually fall into disrepair and was eventually dismantled for construction materials in the 15th-century Mamluk period.
The order to build of lighthouse came from Ptolemy I Soter when he gave the order to his architect Sostratus of Cnidus, who was very close to him and his son. It was completed on the southeast corner of the island of Pharos around 12 years with the vision in mind to match the Great Pyramid in height. The lighthouse was completed for a total cost equivalent of 800 talents of silver. It had a height of 350 feet (110 metres) high which was made by solid blocks of limestone and granite, which were quarried around Wadi Hammamat.
The light had a range between 30 to 100 miles; during the day, the mirror reflected the light, while at night, the fire was lit through a powerful furnace. Since its construction, it has been a technological triumph and has become the archetype of all the lighthouses in the world. During the Middle Ages, in the Mamluk period around 1477 AD, Sultan Al-Ashraf Sayf al-Din Qa'it Bay used the salvaged rocks of the light to create the Qaitbey citadel in the same place to be a protective stronghold designed to guard the entire city of Alexandria from any foreign attack.
The Lighthouse of Alexandria was an architectural masterpiece, standing at an estimated height of 393 feet (120 meters) on a 30 by 30 m (98 by 98 ft) square base. It was constructed in three tiers: a square lower section, an octagonal middle section, and a cylindrical upper section.
The exterior was made primarily of limestone blocks, while the interior featured a spiral ramp leading to the top. At the summit, a large, enchanting mirror or statue of the god Zeus or Poseidon is believed to have been present, reflecting sunlight during the day and fire at night.
A number of attempts has been going on since 1968 to rediscover the lighthouse by the UNESCO by making some underwater missions in the Mediterranean sea by it was out on hold many times until a French archaeologist in 1994 by the name Jeans-Yves Empereur was able to uncover many ruins on the floor of Alexandria’s Eastern Harbor. Many cinematographers were able to detect many visions of columns and statues, plus several huge blocks of granite weighing up to more than 40 to 60 tons, plus 30 Sphinxes and 5 obelisks that date to the reign of Ramses II (1279-1213 BC).
Over 3,300 pieces were cataloged by Empereur and his team in 1995. The entire area is under UNESCO Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage, where the Bay of Alexandria was added to a list of the World Heritage List of submerged sites. In 2016, the Egyptian Government declared the possibility of establishing an underwater museum that explores all these glorious submerged marvels.
Today, only ruins and remnants of the Lighthouse of Alexandria remain. The exact location of the lighthouse is epically debated between a number of historians, with some suggesting it was situated on the eastern tip of the island of Pharos, while others propose it was way closer to the mainland.
Many excavations and underwater surveys have revealed sections of the lighthouse's foundations and some of its incredible artifacts, such as coins, artifacts, and statues. These remnants provide incredibly valuable insights into the scale and design of the original structure.
While the Lighthouse of Alexandria no longer stands, its legacy lives on as it can be seen across an infinite number of art and literature from different world, culture, and times such as the book of Julius Caeser “ Civil Wars” in 48 BC, Records of Foreign Peoples by Zhao Rugua (1170–1228 AD), Ibn Battuta visited the lighthouse in 1326 AD.
Alexandria, the city in which the lighthouse once guided ships, now boasts a modern lighthouse in its honor. The modern structure, known as the Alexandria Lighthouse, stands near the original location of its ancient predecessor, offering a symbolic connection to the city's maritime past.
The ethereal Lighthouse of Alexandria stands as a visionary epic testament to the engineering prowess and artistic vision of the ancient world. Created to guide ships and protect sailors, it captured the imagination of great people for many centuries. Although the original lighthouse is no longer found, its memory, magic, and influence endure for millennia through the ruins and the modern lighthouse that stands in its place.
The Lighthouse of Alexandria remains a cherished, magical icon of human ingenuity, greatness, and magnificence that reminds us of the remarkable achievements of our great ancestors. All our honorable guests will have the chance to enjoy the most wonderful and fun travel experience through our marvelous Egypt tours and Nile cruise among all the immortal gems of Egypt.
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The entire country of Egypt deserve to be explored with its every heavenly detail but there are places that must be seen before any other such as the breathtaking Hurghada's red sea, The wonders of Cairo the pyramids of Giza, the great sphinx, the Egyptian Museum, Khan El Khalili Bazaar, the wonders of Luxor like Valley of the Kings, Karnak & Hatshepsut temple and the wonders of Aswan such as Abu Simbel temples, Philea temple, Unfinished obelisk and The Wonders of Alexandria like Qaitbat Citadel, Pompey's Pillar and Alexandria Library. Read more about the best places to visit in Egypt.
If you want to apply for a Visa On Arrival that lasts for 30 days then you should be one of the eligible countries, have a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining and pay 25$ USD in cash, as for the E-Visa for 30 day you should have a valid passport for at least 8 months, complete the online application, pay the e-visa fee then print the e-visa to later be presented to the airport border guard. You could also be one of the lucky ones who can obtain a free visa for 90 days. Read more about Egypt travel visa.
Egypt has a variety of delicious cuisines but we recommend “Ful & Ta’meya (Fava Beans and Falafel)”, Mulukhiya, “Koshary”, a traditional Egyptian pasta dish, and Kebab & Kofta, the Egyptian traditional meat dish.
The best time to travel to Egypt is during the winter from September to April as the climate becomes a little tropical accompanied by a magical atmosphere of warm weather with a winter breeze. You will be notified in the week of your trip if the Climate is unsafe and if any changes have been made.
You should pack everything you could ever need in a small bag so you could move easily between your destinations.
We have been creating the finest vacations for more than 20 years around the most majestic destinations in Egypt. Our staff consists of the best operators, guides and drivers who dedicate all of their time & effort to make you have the perfect vacation. All of our tours are customized by Travel, Financial & Time consultants to fit your every possible need during your vacation. It doesn't go without saying that your safety and comfort are our main priority and all of our resources will be directed to provide the finest atmosphere until you return home.
You will feel safe in Egypt as the current atmosphere of the country is quite peaceful after the government took powerful measures like restructuring the entire tourist police to include all the important and tourist attractions in Egypt. Read more about is it safe to travel to Egypt.
Wear whatever feels right and comfortable. It is advised to wear something light and comfortable footwear like a closed-toe shoe to sustain the terrain of Egypt. Put on sun block during your time in Egypt in the summer to protect yourself from the sun.
The best activity is by far boarding a Nile Cruise between Luxor and Aswan or Vise Versa. Witness the beauty of Egypt from a hot balloon or a plane and try all the delicious Egyptian cuisines and drinks plus shopping in old Cairo. Explore the allure and wonders of the red sea in the magical city resorts of Egypt like Hurghada and many more by diving and snorkeling in the marine life or Hurghada. Behold the mesmerizing western desert by a safari trip under the heavenly Egyptian skies.
There are a lot of public holidays in Egypt too many to count either religious or nation, the most important festivals are the holy month of Ramadan which ends with Eid Al Fitr, Christmas and new years eve. Read more about festivals & publich holidays in Egypt.
Egypt is considered to be one of the most liberal Islamic countries but it has become a little bit conservative in the last couple of decades so it is advised to avoid showing your chest, shoulders or legs below the knees.
Arabic is the official language and Most Egyptians, who live in the cities, speak or understand English or at least some English words or phrases. Fewer Egyptians can speak French, Italian, Spanish, and German. Professional tour guides, who work in the tourism sector, are equipped to handle visitors who cannot speak Arabic and they will speak enough English and other languages to fulfill the needs of all our clients.
The fastest way is a car, of course, a taxi. If you are in Cairo ride a white taxi to move faster or you could board the fastest way of transportation in Egypt metro if the roads are in rush hour.
The temperature in Egypt ranges from 37c to 14 c. Summer in Egypt is somehow hot but sometimes it becomes cold at night and winter is cool and mild. The average of low temperatures vary from 9.5 °C in the wintertime to 23 °C in the summertime and the average high temperatures vary from 17 °C in the wintertime to 32 °C in the summertime. The temperature is moderate all along the coasts.
It is the home of everything a traveler might be looking for from amazing historical sites dating to more than 4000 years to enchanting city resorts & beaches. You will live the vacation you deserve as Egypt has everything you could possibly imagine.
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