Which ancient wonder stood in Alexandria and was used as a lighthouse?

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

Also called the Pharos of Alexandria, it was built on the island of Pharos off the coast of Egypt during the reign of Ptolemy II Philadelphus. Ancient sources place its completion around 280 BC, making it one of the tallest human-made structures of the ancient world.

The tower used fire and reflective materials to help mariners navigate, although surviving accounts differ on the exact design and height. Earthquakes damaged it repeatedly between the 10th and 14th centuries, and its remaining stones were eventually reused in the Qaitbay Citadel.

The word “pharos” became a root for lighthouse-related terms in several languages. The Lighthouse of Alexandria was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, but no complete structure survives today.