Port Said Lighthouse

Port Said Lighthouse

The lighthouse in 2008
Location	East district, Port Said, Egypt
Coordinates	31°15′50″N 32°18′42″E / 31.26389°N 32.31167°E / 31.26389; 32.31167
Tower
Constructed	c. 1869
Foundation	Reinforced concrete
Construction	Masonry
Height	56 m (184 ft)
Shape	Octagonal prism tower with balcony and lantern
Markings	unpainted tower except the seaward side painted white and black
Light
First lit	1869
Deactivated	1997 (?)
Focal height	59 m (194 ft)
Range	40 km (25 mi)

Port Said Lighthouse (Arabic: فنار بورسعيد القديم) is one of the most important architectural and tourist landmarks in the city of Port Said in Egypt. Considered a unique example for the evolution of architecture during the nineteenth century in the city, the lighthouse was designed by François Coignet [fr] at the request of the Khedive of Egypt and Sudan, Ismail the Magnificent. Construction was completed in 1869, one week prior to the inauguration of the Suez Canal.^[1] The lighthouse was built to guide ships passing through the canal. The lighthouse has an octagonal shaped tower that is 56 metres (184 ft) high.