manuel cohen

Lighthouse, Patara, Antalya, Turkey

Spiral staircase of the Lighthouse, erected by Emperor Nero in 64-65 AD, on the western edge of the now silted harbour of Patara, Antalya, Turkey. It consists of a square podium 20x20m and a tower rising from the middle. The podium walls were cut from the bedrock and filled with rubble to resist earthquakes. The tower was 26m high and consists of 2 nested cylindrical structures connected through a spiral staircase. The cylindrical exterior wall, 6m in diameter, was built as a double-hulled structure using concavo-convex stone blocks. The staircases were connected to each other so as to increase the static resistance of the tower. On top of the lighthouse was a dome on an octagonal base created by arches on piers. The tower is accessed through a wooden gate to the West. A monumental inscription, originally set in gold-plated bronze lettering, circled the lighthouse at the top of the tower so that it could be read from a distance, stating that Emperor Nero erected the lighthouse for the safety of sailors. This is believed to be the oldest lighthouse in the world. Patara was a maritime Greek and Roman city on the South West Mediterranean coast of Lycia near modern-day Gelemis. It was said to be founded by Patarus, son of Apollo, and was famous for its temple and oracle of Apollo. It was a leading city of the Lycian League. Picture by Manuel Cohen

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Filename: LC13_Turkey_MC630.jpg
Image Size: 3744x5616 / 6.6MB; www.manuelcohen.com; archaeological archaeology archeological archeology color color image colour colour image day early exterior heritage image Middle East Middle Eastern morning outdoors outside photograph photography sunrise Turkey Turkish vertical Patara Pttara Arsinoe Gelemis Antalya Lycia Lycian Asia Minor Patareus Apollo travel tourism tourist attraction history site ruins Greek Roman Lycian League Mediterranean Sea Aegean Sea ancient Patarus Anatolia lighthouse 1st century AD coast warning system architecture building stone tower spiral staircase harbour harbor maritime sea block step stair access staircase
Contained in galleries: Turkey

Spiral staircase of the Lighthouse, erected by Emperor Nero in 64-65 AD, on the western edge of the now silted harbour of Patara, Antalya, Turkey. It consists of a square podium 20x20m and a tower rising from the middle. The podium walls were cut from the bedrock and filled with rubble to resist earthquakes. The tower was 26m high and consists of 2 nested cylindrical structures connected through a spiral staircase. The cylindrical exterior wall, 6m in diameter, was built as a double-hulled structure using concavo-convex stone blocks. The staircases were connected to each other so as to increase the static resistance of the tower. On top of the lighthouse was a dome on an octagonal base created by arches on piers. The tower is accessed through a wooden gate to the West. A monumental inscription, originally set in gold-plated bronze lettering, circled the lighthouse at the top of the tower so that it could be read from a distance, stating that Emperor Nero erected the lighthouse for the safety of sailors. This is believed to be the oldest lighthouse in the world. Patara was a maritime Greek and Roman city on the South West Mediterranean coast of Lycia near modern-day Gelemis. It was said to be founded by Patarus, son of Apollo, and was famous for its temple and oracle of Apollo. It was a leading city of the Lycian League. Picture by Manuel Cohen