When was the lighthouse of Alexandria Destroyed?

The Lighthouse of Alexandria is also known as the Pharos of Alexandria. The lighthouse was built in the 3rd century BC on Egypt’s Pharos Island by the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Ancient Egypt, during the reign of Ptolemy II Philadelphus (280–247 BC).

The Pharos of Alexandria lighthouse was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and symbolized the city’s maritime importance and the power of the Ptolemaic dynasty. It served as a guide for sailors traveling to Alexandria’s busy port for many centuries.

However, the lighthouse didn’t last forever. Its destruction occurred gradually over time, mainly due to natural disasters. Wikipedia’s historical records show that the first major damage occurred in 956 AD, when a powerful earthquake shook the region. This was followed by more severe earthquakes, particularly near the island of Crete in 1303 AD, which caused massive destruction in the eastern Mediterranean, including Alexandria.

By 1323 AD the Alexandria Lighthouse was so damaged as to be unrecognizable. The famous traveler Ibn Battuta visited the city around that time and found only ruins of the lighthouse remaining, with no remains. Then, in the late 15th century, some of the lighthouse’s original stones were taken and used to build the Citadel of Qaitbay on the same site.

When was the lighthouse of Alexandria Destroyed?

Earthquakes between 956 AD and 1323 AD gradually destroyed the Lighthouse of Alexandria (Pharos of Alexandria).

Here’s a timeline of its destruction:

• 956 AD – The first major earthquake caused considerable damage.
• 1303 AD – A powerful earthquake near Crete severely damaged the structure.
• 1323 AD – By this time the last earthquake had completely ruined it, as reported by the Arab traveler Ibn Battuta, who visited Alexandria and found the lighthouse completely collapsed, no longer standing.

By the end of the 14th century, the surviving ruins of the lighthouse were repurposed for the construction of the Citadel of Qaitbay on the same site.

Although it no longer exists today, the Lighthouse of Alexandria remains an iconic part of ancient history and a symbol of early architectural and engineering brilliance.

You can read more information from Wikipedia here.