Size me up. Build one of the seven wonders of the ancient world!Bring history to life as you build the Ugears Lighthouse of Alexandria! This majestic wooden lighthouse model is an imaginative re-creation of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World - the huge lighthouse built by Ptolemy I and Ptolemy II in 200 BC. Ptolemy and Ptolemy II and Ptolemy III built it in 200 BC on the western edge of the Nile Delta in Egypt. For the first time in the history of the Ugears, the Alexandria Lighthouse incorporates electrical components that illuminate the interior of the design, making it a beautiful, warm and functional night light.
Built of stiff stone pipes and over 100 metres high, the Alexandria Lighthouse was one of the tallest man-made structures of its time. It survived for over a thousand years until a series of earthquakes - the last in 1303 - caused it to collapse into the sea. The remains of the lighthouse, including granite blocks, columns and statues, were rediscovered at the bottom of the Alexandria harbour in 1968 and can still be admired by divers.
The DIY model of the Alexandria Lighthouse is largely based on surviving historical sources, making it a fascinating, ready-to-assemble model. As the lighthouse of Alexandria was dedicated to Zeus, the top of the model features an engraved silhouette of the god of thunder holding a lightning bolt. Architectural details have been added to the walls, towers, walkway bridge and dome, while laser engraving mimics the surface of stone pipes and roof tiles. As is typical of Ugears, the static model also has a moving element: the gates at the front and back open by turning knobs.
The model, made of artistic 3 mm composite wood, also includes electrical components, lamps and an acrylic lens. The lighthouse is powered either by a USB-C port (e.g. from a phone charger) or three AA batteries, and there is a charging port and power switch on the back of the stand. Two LED lights illuminate the model: the top light reflects the flame silhouette behind the lens, while the light inside the tower highlights the lattice structure. This makes the Alexandria Lighthouse not only an architectural marvel but also a cosy night light. At about a foot tall (31 cm), the wooden lighthouse model is perfect for a bedside table.
The Alexandria Lighthouse of Antiquity is a medium-difficulty do-it-yourself model with 340 parts, providing more than six hours of engaging building time. The package includes laser-cut panels of natural composite wood, electrical components, 2 LED lights, an acrylic lens, sandpaper and wax for smoothing and lubricating the parts. As with all Ugears models, you don't need glue or special tools to assemble the Alexandria Lighthouse. Snap the parts into place with step-by-step instructions - available in 11 languages (English, German, Ukrainian, French, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Japanese, Italian, Chinese, Chinese and Korean). Then you can just sit back and admire your architectural creation and the warm glow it creates in your room!
This ancient wonder - the wooden model of the Great Lighthouse of Alexandria - will charm builders and hobbyists, architecture lovers, history students and anyone who needs a spectacular night light for their bedside table, tabletop or shelf. You can leave the model in a beautiful natural wood colour or paint and stain it for added realism. Give the kit as a gift as is, or assemble it yourself and gift the finished beacon to a loved one as a unique gift that you have invested your time and skills in. Let your light shine as you build the fascinating Ugears Alexandria Lighthouse!
- Model size: 15.7 x 31 x 15.7 cm
- Package size: 37.3 x 17 x 5 cm
- Number of parts: 340
- Estimated assembly time: 6 hours
- Level of difficulty: medium