Which ancient wonder stood in Alexandria and guided ships with a great beacon?

The Lighthouse of Alexandria was the ancient wonder that guided ships into Alexandria’s harbor.

The lighthouse, also called the Pharos of Alexandria, was built on the island of Pharos off the coast of Alexandria in Ptolemaic Egypt. Construction is generally associated with the reign of Ptolemy II Philadelphus in the early 3rd century BCE, and the architect is traditionally identified as Sostratus of Cnidus.

Ancient descriptions portray a tall, multi-level tower topped by a fire and a reflective device that helped project its light. Its height made it one of the tallest structures in the ancient world, although estimates differ because the building no longer survives in complete form. The name “pharos” later became a word for lighthouse in several languages.

Earthquakes damaged the structure repeatedly between the 10th and 14th centuries. Much of its stone was eventually reused in the construction of the Citadel of Qaitbay, built on or near the former site in the 15th century. Underwater archaeology has identified architectural blocks believed to have fallen from the lighthouse.