New Lighthouse For Cebu
By Sue Clark on Feb 7, 2008 in News, Other 
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An Odd Combination
What do the Lighthouse of Alexandria and a Muslim Mosque have in common? Nothing, except that’s what the mayor of Cebu, Phillipines, Tomas Osmena, wants as a design for a new lighthouse. His current plans call for a new lighthouse to be built in the center of the South Road Properties. I say current because a couple years ago, he had plans to build a new lighthouse in honor of a murdered official. But apparently it didn’t pan out.
This one, however, will do double duty as a Muslim Mosque at the bottom for worship, with a light on the top to protect the seafront. In a story in the Cebu Daily News, Osmena said, “It will have to look very Cebuano. It will not be an eyesore. We need to create an icon for Cebu. We should stop using the Fuente Osmena or the Magellan’s Cross.”
There is no cost estimate for this project, as it appears to be dependent on the sale of a South Road Property lot before it can happen. And a causeway would first need to be built at a cost of 50 million Philippine pesos (about $ 1,237,118 USD). Of course, since the Muslim communtity would benefit, the mayor encouraged them to also chip in some cash.
The Lighthouse At Alexandria
Built in the third centruy B.C., the lighthouse stood almost 500 feet tall and was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Although it was the longest lasting of all the other Wonders, with the exception of the Pyramids of Giza, it fell to ruins in the fourteenth century after several earthquakes. Using some of the fallen masonry from the ancient wonder, the Sultan of Quaitbey built a medieval fort in the fifteenth century. The ruins of the original lighthouse were found on the sea floor in 1994 near Alexandria’s Eastern Harbor and is accessible to divers. The illustration below is a computer aided graphic reconstruction of the lighthouse done in 2006 after a comprehensive study.
A Muslim Mosque
A mosque, like a church or synagoue, is of course first and foremost a place of worship. However, they also showcase the architecture of the Islamic faith. Most known for minarets, some are very elaborate, while others are more simply designed. A fairly ornate Pakistani Mosque is pictured below.
Combine The Two?
Sure, why not. You have to admit there are some similarities in the designs. Both have tall towers, suitable for lighting, and the base can be of any shape, although you don’t often see rounded dome-like structures for lighthouse bases. So, there are possibilities. Perhaps it could look like the rendition below.
New Lighthouses
While this article was written kind of tongue-in-cheek, it’s always good to hear of new lighthouses being built. In fact, in the state of Washington right now, a full size, working lighthouse is being planned as a part of a new marina development. Plans are to have it declared a Private Aid to Navigation. Lighthouse News will be featuring the complete development of this lighthouse, from the planning stages until its commission as a private aid to navigation. Be sure to subscribe to Lighthouse News to keep up with this rare event…a new lighthouse.
Photo Credits:
- Cebu City Aerial View by Storm Crypt. Some rights reserved.
- Lighthouse at Alexandria by Xlance. All rights reserved.
- Pakistan Mosque at Hilal Plaza - World Mosques. All rights reserved.
- Lighthouse and Mosque Combined by Sue Clark. All rights reserved.
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