Commissioned by the first Ptolemy in 280 BC, the Lighthouse of Alexandria was a monumental structure that stood around 400 ft (122 m) tall.
The lighthouse functioned through the use of large fires in the interior cylinder and a use giant mirror at the top. It's referenced throughout historical texts, and the lighthouse's image was printed on coins from the era.
The lighthouse, or Pharos, was badly damaged in earthquakes in 956, and then again in 1303 and 1323. In 1480, the Sultan of Qaitbay demolished the remnants to create a citadel.
