der Mercurius. Fig 50 / Mercure 137

Title

der Mercurius. Fig 50 / Mercure 137

View shows Mercury above one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The Lighthouse of Alexandria, as depicted in the 17th century. It was built on the island of Pharos in the Bay of Alexandria, Egypt because the entrance to the port of Alexandria was difficult due to the shoals and rocks. Supposedly, this tower was visible for 30 miles. Like some of the other Seven Wonders of the World, the lighthouse fell victim to earthquakes. It survived several severe tremors, but not without serious damage that led to its abandonment. The ruins finally collapsed in the 15th century. However, this was not the last testimony of the lighthouse, as French archaeologists discovered massive stones in the waters around Pharos in 1994, which they believed belonged to the ancient structure. In 2015, the Egyptian authorities announced their intention to rebuild the wonder.

ca. 1719

Artist

Mallet