In ancient Roman times, the English Channel – part of the Oceanus Britannicus – was not an insurmountable barrier. It served as a transport route, as most of Britain had been part of the Empire for nearly four centuries. Just as today, merchant ships and ferries plied the waters between the two coasts, transporting goods and passengers. Galleys from the fleet patrolled the waters to deter pirates and smugglers. To ensure this could be done as safely as possible, the Romans relied on modern nautical infrastructure – the lighthouse.
Don’t do things by halves
As the Romans rarely did things by halves, they built two lighthouses – one on either side of the important trading and naval port of Dubris, now known as Dover. Its location was no coincidence: even back then, the famous chalk cliffs, stretching for around 30 kilometres, made any meaningful landing along the coast impossible. The only gap in this wall was at Dubris. Like a gateway, the two beacons – one to the west and the other to the east of the town – were intended to guide ships approaching from the south to this opening.
- Name: Roman Pharos, Dover, England
- Location: English Channel, Atlantic Ocean
- Position: 51°07'41.8"N, 001°19'22.7"E
- Tower height: 16 m
- Height of the tower: 20 m (estimated; upper section rebuilt)
- Identification: presumably burning continuously in open fire bowls
For the eastern of the two towers – the one that has survived to this day – a site was chosen on the highest hill, just above the harbour. The tower, which is thought to have been four storeys high, was fitted with round-arched windows and clad in green sandstone. The height of the building is estimated at around 20 metres, of which 20 metres remain today. This resulted in an impressive fire height of around 130 metres.
Whilst the western tower disappeared following the end of the Roman presence in Britain after the year 410, the eastern tower survived – initially as the bell tower of a medieval Anglo-Saxon church, and later as part of the fortifications of Dover Castle, which continued to play a significant military role during the Second World War.
One of three surviving towers
The Pharos Dover is now one of three surviving Roman lighthouses; the other two are located in A Coruña in northern Spain and Leptis Magna in Libya. Following several alterations, around 13 metres of the original structure remain; the top storey was added during the Middle Ages. Today, the breakwater lights ensure safe navigation to Dover’s ferry and marina.
For guests: Dover Marina
Visiting boats can find berths in the Dover Marina in the western part of the harbour, the Outer Marina. It is subject to the tides, but can be accessed at any tide. The Roman lighthouse forms part of the museum complex at Dover Castle and can also be viewed upon entry. This solid structure, which is almost two millennia old, still bears witness to ancient architectural artistry today.
More unusual lighthouses
Christian Tiedt
Editor Travel
