One of the seven wonders of the ancient world will be restored to life, if authorities in Egypt have their way.
A project to replicate the Pharos Lighthouse of Alexandria, which was was built around 280-247 BC and collapsed 700 years ago, is currently in the works, according to the secretary-general of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities.
Amin told Youm7 that the commission has allocated a piece of land near the original site to build the replica. The original lighthouse was a seen as a model for other lighthouses around the world, helping ships navigate Egypt's Mediterranean coast.
The new location for the lighthouse is just a few meters away from where the original stood, which is now taken up by the Qaitbay Citadel.
The exact cost of the work, which Amin said would be completed by Egyptian and Chinese companies, is still not determined. However, once the planning and estimates are complete, the project will go to the Governorate of Alexandria to get its seal of approval.
The first floor of the lighthouse will be a museum operated by the Antiquities Ministry. However, the ministry has not made any public statement or posted any information on its website, according to Mada Masr.
Unfortunately, however, antiquities are quickly deteriorating in that area of Alexandria.
On April 19, Al Badil reported that the walls of Qaitbay Citadel were in danger. The citadel, which was built in 1477, has damaged walls due to sodium chloride, according to Nabil Sombol, head of the Authority for Conservation and Restoration of Artifacts.