After standing for thousands of years, builders have restored the ancient lighthouse of Emperor Nero. (Photo included)

The ancient lighthouse in Patara, constructed during the reign of Roman Emperor Nero and later damaged by natural disasters, is nearing the final stages of restoration. Utilizing original stones, specialists will soon restore this majestic beacon, writes Arkeonews.

Located in the southwestern Turkish province of Antalya, Patara holds significant historical and archaeological importance. Once, this ancient city was the capital of the Lycia League and a vital port and trade center.

Patara is renowned for its well-preserved ruins, particularly the theater, temples, and the ancient lighthouse built to guide sailors on their journeys. Currently, the lighthouse, an incredible feat of ancient engineering, is in the final phase of reconstruction.

The restoration initiative began in 2020 when the Ministry of Culture and Tourism declared this year as the "Year of Patara" in honor of the ancient city.

Researchers discovered thousands of original building stones, which were meticulously examined and reinforced before being reinstalled in the structure. A special facility was established in the region for processing and preparing the stones for reassembly.

Builders also installed a dome on the lighthouse featuring the inscription "I am Emperor Nero. I built this lighthouse for the safety of sailors," along with a relief of a dolphin.

The lighthouse stood for 1300 years

Dr. Shevket Aktaş, the head of the excavations at the ancient city of Patara, stated that the original stones of the lighthouse were discovered back in 2004 during research led by Professor Dr. Havva Ishkan Ishik.

"Professor Dr. Havva Ishkan Ishik oversaw this process from start to finish. The lighthouse consists of a square podium and two interconnected cylinders on the main rock at the center. There was also a fire burning on the platform above the lighthouse. We are now close to completing this area and its dome. There are two special inscriptions attributed to Emperor Nero and the Lycian governor Sextus Marcius Priscus," he said.

The researcher adds: "The lighthouse stood for 1300 years and collapsed due to an earthquake. This is a very important asset for archaeology and the scientific community. We believe that tourists will come specifically to see the lighthouse. This lighthouse will make a significant contribution to the scientific community and attract many visitors to Patara once the first light is lit."

It is known that the lighthouse, built by Roman Emperor Nero in 64 AD, was destroyed in 1481 due to an earthquake in Rhodes and the subsequent tsunami, with its ruins eventually lost among the sand dunes in the harbor area.

We also reported on the discovery of the tomb of Pharaoh Thutmose II. This is the first discovery of a royal tomb of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh since the excavation of Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922.