Which ancient wonder was located in Alexandria, Egypt?

The ancient city of Alexandria in Egypt was home to one of the most remarkable feats of engineering in the ancient world. This iconic structure, often referred to as the Pharos of Alexandria, was a colossal lighthouse that stood sentinel over the city's bustling harbor. It earned its place as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, a testament to its grandeur and technological innovation.

Commissioned by Ptolemy I Soter and completed during the reign of his son Ptolemy II Philadelphus between 284 and 246 BC, the lighthouse's primary purpose was to guide sailors safely into Alexandria's busy port. Standing on the island of Pharos, which was connected to the mainland by a causeway, it was an essential navigational aid for ships traversing the Mediterranean, a critical hub for trade and commerce.

Towering to an estimated height of at least 100 meters (330 feet), it was for centuries one of the tallest man-made structures on Earth, surpassed only by the Great Pyramid of Giza. A fire burned at its apex, amplified by reflective mirrors, casting a guiding light far out to sea. The lighthouse, constructed in three tiered sections, eventually succumbed to a series of powerful earthquakes between 956 and 1303 AD, leaving its ruins to be later repurposed for the Citadel of Qaitbay. Its legacy endures, as the name of its island, Pharos, became the root word for "lighthouse" in many languages.