Lighthouses of Andalusia

The Spanish region of Andalucía (Andalusia in English) is in the southern part of the country, including the coastal provinces of Huelva, Cádiz, Málaga, Granada, and Almería. The western third of the coast faces southwest on the Atlantic, west of Gibraltar, while the eastern two thirds faces southeast on the Mediterranean. The word for a lighthouse is faro in Spanish, but its use is generally restricted to the larger coastal light stations. Smaller lighthouses are called balizas (beacons). The navigational lights in Spain are regulated at the national level by the Comisíon de Faros, but they are operated and maintained by the regional port authorities, one or more in most provinces. ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. ES numbers are from the Spanish national list of lights, Libro de Faros. Admiralty numbers are from volumes D and E of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA List numbers are from Publication 113. General Sources Libro de Faros A comprehensive illustrated listing of Spanish lighthouses, maintained by Agustín Solabre Suárez. Online List of Lights - Atlantic Spain and Mediterranean Spain A large collection of photos of Spanish aids to navigation posted by Alexander Trabas. Lighthouses in Spain Excellent aerial photos posted by Marinas.com. Faros de la provincia de Cádiz Basic data and photos posted on the tourist information site GuiaDeCadiz.com. Leuchttürme.net - Andalucia Photos posted by Malte Werning. Phares d'Europe Photos posted by Alain Guyomard and Robert Carceller. Navigation and Ships - Lighthouses Photos by Fran García. Leuchttürme Spaniens auf historischen Postkarten Historic postcard images posted by Klaus Huelse.

Faro de Chipiona, June 2006 Creative Commons photo by Chris Applegate

Lighthouses of Huelva
Note: Huelva, the westernmost province of Andalucía, faces the Atlantic next to Portugal's Algarve coastline. The Spanish coast in Huelva and Cadiz is called the Costa de la Luz (Coast of Light). Lighthouses in Huelva are maintained and operated by the Autoridad Portuaria de Huelva.

* El Rompido (1) 1861. Inactive since 1976. Approx. 10 m (33 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story keeper's house. Lighthouse painted white; lantern dome is unpainted metallic gray. García has a good photo, and Trabas also has a photo. The lantern appears to be in poor condition. The light station was built on the west side of the entrance to the Río Piedras and the harbor of El Rompido. Since 1861, Flecha de El Rompido, the barrier sandspit that protects the lower course of the river, has extended itself 8 km (5 mi) to the east, putting the lighthouse that far to the west of the river's mouth. The station is accessible by road. Site open, tower closed. * El Rompido (2) 1976 (station established 1861). Active; focal plane 43 m (141 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 29 m (95 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and double gallery. Lighthouse painted white with a single red band below the galleries; lantern dome is unpainted metallic gray. Fran García has a good photo, Trabas also has a photo, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. The lighthouse was formerly painted with black and white horizontal bands and is still described that way by NGA; faded bands can be seen in Solabre's photo. It seems odd that this lighthouse now has the same daymark as the nearby Río Odiel lighthouse. Located behind the historic lighthouse. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-271; ES-08570; Admiralty D2312; NGA 3828. * Río Odiel (Dique Juan Carlos I) 1983. Active; focal plane 31 m (102 ft); four white flashes, in a 3+1 pattern, every 20 s. 26 m (89 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and double gallery. Lighthouse painted white with a single red band below the galleries; lantern dome is unpainted metallic gray. Trabas also has a photo, Guyomard and Carceller have a very distant view, and Google has a satellite view. The lighthouse marks the entrance to the Río Odiel and the port of Huelva. The west breakwater, now called the Dique Juan Carlos I, curves southeastward for several miles, extending a natural sandspit. The road along the spit and breakwater is apparently open to the public. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-099; ES-08710; Admiralty D2321; NGA 3861.

Faros de El Rompido, April 2007 anonymous Creative Commons photo

* Picacho (Mazagón)

1884. Active; focal plane 52 m (171 ft); six white flashes, in a 2+4 pattern, every 30s s. 25 m (82 ft) octagonal cylindrical cut stone tower with lantern and double gallery, rising from the front of a 1-story keeper's house. 3rd order Fresnel lens (1899) in use. Lighthouse painted white with unpainted buff-colored brick trim; lantern dome is unpainted metallic gray. Trabas has a great photo, Solabre also has a good photo, and Google has a satellite view. This historic light station is the traditional landfall light for the port of Huelva. Located on the Avenida del Mar in Mazagón, on the east side of the entrance to the Río Odiel. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-185; ES-08700; Admiralty D2320; NGA 3844.

* Padre Santo (Río Odiel Leading Light)

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 61 m (200 ft); white, red or green light depending on direction (a continuous white light is shown on the proper line of approach; occulting, continuous, or flashing red or green lights are shown to the sides). 15 m (49 ft) round cylindrical dumbbell-shaped tower, painted white. Trabas has a closeup photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a bluff off the end of the Calle de los Reyes Católicos on the west side of Mazagón. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty D2324.05; NGA 3845.

* La Higuera (Matalascañas)

Early 1990s. Active; focal plane 47 m (154 ft); three white flashes every 20 s. 24 m (79 ft) triangular cylindrical concrete tower with lantern. The tower is white concrete with a single red horizontal band near the top; lantern painted white. Trabas has a photo, and Solabre has a good photo. The architects of this modern lighthouse, Ismael Guarner and José Fernández, were inspired by the monolith in the film 2001. Located behind the beach at Matalascañas, about 35 km (22 mi) southeast of Mazagón. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-174; ES-09175; Admiralty D2345; NGA 3863.

Río Guadalquivir (Sevilla) Lighthouses

Note: The province of Cádiz spans the Strait of Gibraltar, its coastline facing both the Atlantic in the west and the Mediterranean in the east. The lighthouses in this group are located on the Río Guadalquivir, on the western border of Cádiz province. The river leads to the major port of Seville, and the lighthouses are (or were) operated by the Autoridad Portuaria de Sevilla. * Bonanza (Range Front) 1865. Active (possibly reactivated); focal plane about 21 m (69 ft); white flash every 5 s. 20 m (66 ft) octagonal brick tower on a square base. Tower is unpainted red brick; lantern painted white. Trabas has a good photo, Werning has an excellent photo, a closeup and a more distant view of the lighthouse are available, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse was originally the front light of a range for ships entering the Río Guadalquivir; it stands at the first bend in the estuary. According to Falcón, the range was deactivated in 1982, replaced by buoys along the channel. However, the light is listed currently by the port authority as active; either it remained in service without the rear light or it has been reactivated. Located at the south end of the commercial dock area in Bonanza, on the east bank of the Guadalquivir about 4 km (2.4 mi) northeast of Sanlúcar de Barrameda. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-073; ES-09400; Admiralty D2346. * San Jerónimo (Bonanza Range Rear) 1897. Inactive since 1982. 24 m (79 ft) round cylindrical brick tower with gallery; lantern removed. The tower is unpainted red brick. Werning has a good photo, another photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the Camino Colorado 800 m (1/2 mi) northeast of the Faro de Bonanza. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: unknown.

Faro de Bonanza photo copyright Malte Werning; used by permission

* Chipiona (Punta del Perro)

1867 (Jaime Font). Active; focal plane 69 m (226 ft); white flash every 10 s. 63 m (207 ft) round cut stone tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on a 4-story square stone base and rising from the front of a 2-story keeper's house. The lighthouse is unpainted; keeper's house painted white. Chris Applegate's photo is at the top of the page, Trabas has a closeup, Werning has a good photo, the Aero Club de Sevilla has a fine aerial photo, Marinas.com also has aerial photos. Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse, the tallest in Spain, serves as the landfall light for Seville. Located on the Punta del Perro in Chipiona, about 6 km (4 mi) southwest of the Río Guadalquivir entrance. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-301; ES-09180; Admiralty D2351; NGA 3880.

Cádiz Area Lighthouses Note: The Bahía de Cádiz is a large, partly sheltered harbor facing west on the open Atlantic; it has been an important Spanish port for centuries. These lighthouses are operated by the Autoridad Portuaria de la Bahía de Cádiz. * Rota (1) 1910. Inactive since 1980. Lantern mounted atop an archway at the front of the port. A photo appears at right, Werning has a fine closeup, and Trabas also has a photo by Hans-Albert Liebetrau. * Rota (2) 1980 (station established 1910). Active; focal plane 34 m (112 ft); 28 m (92 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and double gallery. Lighthouse painted white with a single red band; lantern dome is unpainted metallic gray. A photo appears at right, Werning has an excellent photo, Trabas also has a photo by Hans-Albert Liebetrau, and Google has a satellite view. Rota, at the northern entrance to the Bahía de Cádiz, is a major base for the Spanish Navy. The lighthouse is located on the waterfront of the civilian port, at the end of the Avenida de San Juan de Puerto Rico. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-085; ES-10140; Admiralty D2355.2; NGA 3908. * Puerto Sherry Date unknown. Active; focal plane approx. 23 m (75 ft); red light occulting once every 4 s. Approx. 23 m (75 ft) stucco-clad harbor control tower with lantern and gallery, painted a very light yellow. Werning has a great photo, Trabas has a good closeup by Hans-Albert Liebetrau, Solabre also has an excellent photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the breakwater sheltering Puerto Sherry, a large yacht basin at the mouth of the Río Guadalete in El Puerto de Santa Maria. Site open, tower closed. ES-10185; Admiralty D2382; NGA 4037. * Castillo de San Sebastián (Cadiz) (3) 1913 (station established about 1776). Active; focal plane 39 m (128 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 37 m (121 ft) octagonal skeletal tower with central cylinder, lantern, and gallery. Entire structure painted white. Fog horn (one long and one short blast every 20 s). Werning has a photo, Solabre has a good photo, Trabas also has a photo by Hans-Albert Liebetrau, and Huelse has a historic postcard image. Google has a satellite view, but due to short shadows the tower is difficult to distinguish.This is the only surviving lighthouse of this type in Spain. The Castillo de San Sebastián was built, starting in the early 17th century, on a small island commanding the approach to Cádiz; the island had earlier been the location of a monastery dedicated to San Sebastián. The island has been joined to the mainland by a kilometer-long jetty since the late 1800s. In 1898, the military commander of Cadiz ordered the second (1855) lighthouse demolished for fear it would guide attacking U.S. ships during the Spanish-American War (in fact the U.S. made no attacks on the Spanish mainland). The current lighthouse serves as the landfall light for Cádiz. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-063; ES-10250; Admiralty D2362; NGA 3940.

Faros de Rota, May 2005 anonymous Creative Commons photo

* Muelle Ciudad

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 28 m (92 ft); white light, 3 s on, 2 s off. 25 m (82 ft) slender skeletal tower with gallery. The gallery also carries floodlights to illuminate the pier. Trabas has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the base of the main quay of Cadiz. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty D2373; NGA 3980.

Sancti Petri

1918. Active; focal plane 20 m (66 ft); white flash every 3 s. 16 m (52 ft) square cylindrical concrete watchtower, mounted on a pyramidal base, with lantern on the roof. Tower unpainted; lantern painted white. Trabas has a photo, Werning also has a photo, amateur radio operator WC6DX has posted a closeup photo, and Google has a satellite view. The Isla de Sancti Petri lies about 1.5 km (1 mi) off the coast at the mouth of the Río Iro. The lighthouse is built on the north side of a circular fortification. Located about 20 km (13 mi) south southwest of Cádiz. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS SPA-065; ES-10630; Admiralty D2388; NGA 4060.

* Cabo Roche

1986. Active; focal plane 45 m (148 ft); four white flashes every 24 s. 20 m (66 ft) square cylindrical stone watchtower, mounted on a pyramidal base, with lantern and gallery rising from the roof on four concrete pillars. Lighthouse painted a very light yellow; lantern is unpainted gray metallic. Trabas has a fine closeup, Werning has a good photo, Solabre also has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse is a recent lighting of a late 16th century watchtower. Located at the point of the cape about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) south of the town of Cabo Roche. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-041; ES-10655; Admiralty D2405; NGA 4077.

Strait of Gibraltar Lighthouses
Note: These lighthouses, all in the province of Cádiz, are operated and maintained by the Autoridad Portuaria de la Bahía de Algeciras. The peninsula of Gibraltar itself is a British possession, long claimed by Spain; there's a separate page for its lighthouses.

* Cabo Trafalgar 1862. Active; focal plane 51 m (167 ft); three white flashes in a 2+1 pattern every 15 s. 34 m (112 ft) round 8-ribbed tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story keeper's house. Entire lighthouse painted white. A photo is at right, Werning has a good photo, Trabas also has a closeup photo, and Google has a satellite view. The eight ribs were added to the lighthouse in 1926 to strengthen it to support a larger lantern structure. Trafalgar, located at the northwestern entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar, is famous as the location of Britain's decisive naval victory over France and Spain on 21 October 1805. The lighthouse is on the point of the cape, about 3 km (1.8 mi) south of Zahora. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-052; ES-20010; Admiralty D2406; NGA 4080. * Barbate 1980. Active; focal plane 22 m (72 ft); two flashes every 7 s, white or red depending on direction. 18 m (59 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower supporting an octagonal equipment room with the light mounted on the roof. Lighthouse painted white with red horizontal bands. Trabas has a good closeup, Werning has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located just off the waterfront in Barbate, a small port and beach resort about 8 km (5 mi) east of Cabo Trafalgar. Site open, tower closed. ES-20022; Admiralty D2408; NGA 4084. * Barbate Dique de Poniente (Barbate Breakwater) Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); red flash every 4 s. 6 m (20 ft) round conical stucco-clad masonry tower, painted red. Trabas has a photo. Google has a satellite view, but the tiny tower is hard to spot. Located at the end of the main breakwater of Barbate. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty D2409; NGA 4088. * Barbate Contradique Date unknown. Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); two green flashes every 7 s. 6 m (20 ft) round masonry tower, painted green. Trabas has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the east breakwater of Barbate. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty D2410; NGA 4092. * Camarinal (Cabo de Gracia) 1989. Active; focal plane 75 m (246 ft); white light occulting twice every 5 s. 20 m (66 ft) round stone tower converted into a lighthouse by adding a lantern mounted on 8 posts on the roof. The unpainted tower is a 16th century watchtower built of cut, fitted stone. Access is through a door midway in the tower, reached by a stairway that spirals up a post next to the tower. Trabas has an excellent closeup photo, Werning also has a fine photo, a 2009 photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a high promontory near Camarinal, halfway between Barbate and Tarifa. Accessible by road. Site open, tower closed. ES-20065; Admiralty D2411.5; NGA 4110.

Faro de Trafalgar, November 2005 anonymous Creative Commons photo

* Punta Paloma

1899. Active; focal plane 45 m (148 ft); white or red light, depending on direction, occulting once every 5 s. 2-story octagonal masonry tower incorporated as part of a keeper's house; the light is shown through a square second-story window. Trabas has a closeup, and Solabre also has a good photo, but for some reason Google's satellite view has been removed. The house has been unoccupied since the light was automated in 1973. Located on a promontory at the end of provincial road CA-222, about 10 km (6 mi) west of La Peña. Site and house closed, but the building can be seen from the road. ARLHS SPA-248; ES-20070; Admiralty D2412; NGA 4112.

Tarifa

Late 1700s (partially rebuilt in 1854). Active; focal plane 41 m (135 ft); three flashes every 10 s, white or red depending on direction. 33 m (108 ft) round cut stone tower with lantern and gallery; entire lighthouse painted white. Fog siren (three 5s blasts every 60 s). Trabas has a closeup photo by Hans-Albert Liebetrau, Werning also has a photo, Antonio Guerra has another good photo, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. This is Spain's southernmost lighthouse (excluding the lights of Spanish Morocco and the Canaries, of course). It was raised in height in 1854, but the amount is unknown. Tarifa is at the western end of the narrow portion of the Strait of Gibraltar, about 25 km (15 mi) southwest of the Rock and only 14 km (9 mi) northeast of the Moroccan coastline. The lighthouse is on a small island just offshore from the town of Tarifa. The island is connected to the mainland by a causeway. Site and tower closed, but there are excellent views from shore. ARLHS SPA-148; ES-20080; Admiralty D2414; NGA 4116.

* Punta Carnero (Algeciras) 1874 (Jaime Font). Active; focal plane 42 m (138 ft); four flashes every 20 s, white or red depending on direction. 19 m (62 ft) round cut stone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story keeper's house. Tower is unpainted, lantern gray metallic. Fog siren (Morse code "K": long-short-long, every 30 s). Malte Werning's photo is at right, good photo is available, Trabas has a closeup, and Google has a satellite view. The semicircular Bahía de Algeciras lies to the west of the Rock of Gibraltar; this lighthouse stands at the western entrance to the bay, directly opposite the Rock. The lighthouse is similar to the Faro de Chipiona, also designed by Jaime Font. Located on Punta Carnero, about 10 km (6 mi) south of Algeciras on provincial highway CA-223. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-203; ES-20110; Admiralty D2420; NGA 4128. * Punta Carbonera (Punta Mala) 1990 (Enrique Martínez Tercero). Active; focal plane 39 m (128 ft); white light occulting once every 4 s. 14 m (46 ft) round stucco-covered rubblestone tower with an aluminum lantern mounted off-cente; an outside stairway winds around the tower to a door about halfway up. Lighthouse painted a pale yellow. Trabas has a closeup photo, Solabre also has a good photo (notice Gibraltar in the distance), and Google has a satellite view. . This is another historic watchtower converted into a lighthouse. Located on a bluff facing the Mediterranean about 15 km (9 mi) north of La Linea; Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-082; ES-20820; Admiralty E0012; NGA 4266.

Faro de Punta Carnero photo copyright Malte Werning; used by permission

Lighthouses of Málaga
Note: The province of Málaga includes the famous resort area known as the Costa del Sol, its beaches backed by high mountains and facing south on the Mediterranean. Lighthouses in the province and operated and maintained by the Autoridad Portuaria de Málaga.

* Punta de la Doncella (Estepona) (2)

1922 (station established 1863). Active; focal plane 31 m (102 ft); three white flashes in a 1+2 pattern every 15 s. 21 m (69 ft) octagonal stone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story masonry keeper's house. Original 3rd order Barbier, Bernard & Turenne Fresnel lens in use. The tower is unpainted and the lantern is all glass, including the dome. Trabas has a fine photo, a 2008 photo is available, a dawn photo shows the light in operation, and Google has a satellite view. The original lighthouse, seen in Huelse's postcard view, was only 8.5 m (28 ft) tall. The keeper's house is the 1863 original, although it has been modified over the years. Located on the Avenida del Puerto just off the Avenida de España, the seaside boulevard, in Estepona. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-212; ES-20940; Admiralty E0020; NGA 4280.

* Marbella (2) 1974 (station established 1864). Active; focal plane 35 m (115 ft); two whaite flashes every 14.5 s. 29 m (95 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and double gallery. 3rd order Barbier, Bernard & Turenne Fresnel lens in use. Entire lighthouse painted white. A good photo and a nice panoramic view are available; Trabas also has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located just off the beach in Marbella. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-083; ES-21100; Admiralty E0056; NGA 4304. * Calaburras (2) 1928 (station established 1863). Active; focal plane 46 m (151 ft); white flash every 5 s. 25 m (82 ft) round cut stone tower with lantern and gallery, attached by a covered passageway to the original (1863) 1-story masonry keeper's house. The tower is unpainted white stone. A photo is at right, Trabas has an excellent photo, and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse marks a major cape, where the trend of the coastline changes from east to north northeast. The location is quite conspicuous; part of the light station property was taken in 1999 in order to widen the A-7 coastal highway (the Autovia del Mediterráneo), which now runs very close to the lighthouse. The present lighthouse replaced a 13.5 m (45 ft) octagonal masonry tower. Located on the Punta das Calaburras about 4 km (2.5 mi) south of Fuengirola. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-198; ES-21280; Admiralty E0058; NGA 4320.

Faro de Calaburras, April 2009 anonymous Creative Commons photo

Málaga Dique de Poniente Extremo (Málaga West Breakwater)

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); red flash every 5 s. 7 m (23 ft) slender round masonry tower atop a 1-story masonry equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. Trabas has a good photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the old west breakwater of Málaga (the harbor has since been extended and there is another breakwater to the south). Site status unknown. ARLHS SPA-303; ES-21590; Admiralty E0066; NGA 4368.

* Málaga ("La Farola") 1817 (Joaquín M. Pery y Guzmán). Active; focal plane 38 m (125 ft); four white flashes, in a 3+1 pattern, every 20 s. 37 m (121 ft) robust round masonry tower with lantern and gallery, rising through the center of a 2-story keeper's house. 3° Chance Brothers Fresnel lens (1922). Entire lighthouse painted white. Ian Wright's photo is at right, Trabas has a good photo, there's a nice view of the waterfront and lighthouse, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. One of the oldest and most historic lighthouses of Spain, this tower has lived an eventful life. The lighthouse was damaged by an earthquake in 1898 and not completely repaired until 1913. It was further damaged by artillery during the Spanish Civil War of the 1930s; it had to be extensively repaired and refurbished in 1939. In recent years GPS and radar installations have been added. It is known affectionately as La Farola, a term usually used for much smaller light towers. Floodlit at night, it is a familiar symbol of the city's waterfront. Located on the Paseo de la Farola on the east side of the harbor of Málaga. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-302; ES-21550; Admiralty E0062; NGA 4360. * Torre del Mar (4) 1969 (station established 1864). Inactive since 1974. Approx. 10 m (33 ft) square cylindrical rubblestone tower; lantern removed. Solabre has a photo, and a 2008 photo is available. This station has a complex history. The original lighthouse, built at the mouth of the Río Vélez, collapsed in 1880 due to beach erosion both by the ocean and the river. It was replaced by a "temporary" wood tower, which served until an 11 m (36 ft) masonry replacement tower was finally built in 1930. By the late 1960s, rapid beachfront development had rendered that lighthouse useless, so this tower was built near the ocean beach as a stopgap measure. Located in front of the modern lighthouse. Site open, tower closed. * Torre del Mar (5) 1974 (station established 1864). Active; focal plane 30 m (98 ft); three white flashes, in a 1+2 pattern, every 10 s. 28 m (92 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and double gallery. Lighthouse painted white; lantern dome is gray metallic. Trabas has a photo, a 2008 photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the foot of the Avenida de Antonio Peré Peré on the waterfront of Torre del Mar, about 32 km (20 mi) east of Málaga and about 1.8 km (1.1 mi) east of the Río Vélez; Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-277; ES-21780; Admiralty E0072; NGA 4392.

Faro de Málaga, 2007 photo copyright Ian Wright; used by permission

* Punta de Torrox

1864. Active; focal plane 29 m (95 ft); four white flashes every 15 s. 23 m (75 ft) round cut stone tower with lantern and double gallery, surrounded by a 1-story keeper's house. The lighthouse, painted entirely white, rises from the central courtyard of the circular house. Trabas has an excellent photo by Hans-Albert Liebetrau, another photo is available, and Google has a fine satellite view. The tower was heightened and the second gallery added in 1922. Located on a promontory above the beach at Torrox-Costa, 4 km (2.5 mi) south of Torrox. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-219; ES-21880; Admiralty E0074; NGA 4408.

Lighthouses of Granada
Note: Mostly an inland province, Granada has a relatively short coastline with no major ports. Its former port authority, the Autoridad Portuaria de Motril, has been merged into the Autoridad Portuaria de Almería, so it is that authority that now operates these lighthouses.

* Punta de la Mona (La Herradura, Torre de los Berengueles) 1992. Active; focal plane 140 m (459 ft); white flash every 5 s. 14 m (46 ft) round strongly conical rubblestone watchtower, converted to a lighthouse by addition of a lantern on a short cylindrical tower on the roof. Access to the light is by an external stairway that winds around the tower. Thanks to Greg Beal for the photo at right; Trabas has a photo, Juan Rimores also has a good photo, and Google has a satellite view. This is one of the many historic watchtowers on Spain's south coast that have been converted in recent years to serve as lighthouses. In this case, the tower is the Torre de los Berengueles, which dates from the 18th century, replacing a medieval tower at the same location. An unsightly cellphone tower stands beside the lighthouse, but visitors can enjoy the spectacular view of the Mediterranean from an overlook at the base of the tower. An upscale residential area surrounds the tower. Located on a high, rocky promontory at Punta de la Mona, between the popular beaches of La Herradura and Almuñécar. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-289; ES-21890; Admiralty E0074.8; NGA 4411. * Cabo Sacratif 1863 (Constantino Germán). Active; focal plane 98 m (322 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 17 m (56 ft) round masonry tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a 1-story keeper's house. Lighthouse painted white with gold trim; lantern is all glass, even the dome. Trabas has a good photo by Hans-Albert Liebetrau, José Luis Ramirez has a wintry evening closeup, and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse marks the southernmost point of the Granada coastline. Located just off the coastal highway E-15 on a high promontory, the Cerro del Chucho, about 9 km (5.5 mi) southeast of Motril. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-042; ES-22000; Admiralty E0080; NGA 4420. Punta del Melonar (Castell de Ferro, Torre de la Instancia) 1992. Active; focal plane 237 m (776 ft); three white flashes every 13 s. 12 m (39 ft) round strongly conical stone watchtower, converted to a lighthouse by addition of a lantern on a short cylindrical tower on the roof. Access to the light is by a bridge from a square service building adjacent to the lighthouse. Trabas has a photo, Carlos Olmo Bosco has a good 2008 photo, and Google has a satellite view. This, Spain's second highest light, is another historic watchtower renovated into a lighthouse. Located atop a sharp peak above the coast on the southwest side of Castell de Ferro; It is not clear if there is public access to this site. ARLHS SPA-060; ES-22020; Admiralty E0082; NGA 4422.

Torre de los Berengueles photo copyright Greg Beal; used by permission

Isla de Alborán Lighthouse

Isla de Alborán

1876. Active; focal plane 40 m (131 ft); four white flashes every 20 s. 20 m (66 ft) round cylindrical stone tower with gallery and a small lantern, rising from the center of a 2-story keeper's house. Tower unpainted; watch room painted white, lantern red; house is buff with unpainted red-brown stone trim. Solabre has a photo, and the Degree Confluence Project has a photo showing the view from the sea. Alborán is a small, barren island 56 km (35 mi) north of the Cap des Trois Fourches, Morocco, and 90 km (56 mi) south of the Spanish mainland at Adra. Occupied by Spain in 1540 and attached administratively to the Spanish province of Almería, Alborán has always been uninhabited except for the lighthouse keepers. However, after Soviet fishing vessels landed on the island in 1960, the Spanish navy established a base there occupied by rotating crews. In 1997 the island was incorporated into a marine reserve, along with the surrounding waters. In 2003-04 the lighthouse was restored and converted to wind power; the original lantern was removed and replaced by the present small lantern. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Operator: Autoridad Portuaria de Málaga. ARLHS CEU-009; Admiralty E0086; NGA 22780.

 

Lighthouses of Almería
Note: These lighthouses are operated and maintained by the Autoridad Portuaria de Almería.

* Adra (2)

1899 (station established 1883). Inactive since 1986. 6 m (20 ft) round cylindrical stone tower attached to one corner of a 1-story stone keeper's house. Lantern removed. The buildings are unpainted. No photo available. The first Adra light, a 13 m (43 ft) hexagonal wooden tower, was built near the former mouth of the Río Adra; it was quickly threatened by erosion and collapsed during a storm in 1896. The light was then moved to a safer location about 3 km (2 mi) to the west. The lighthouse was repaired after being damaged during the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s. The building is now owned by the local police (Protección Civil). Site open, building closed.

* Adra (3)

1986. Active; focal plane 49 m (161 ft); three white flashes every 10.5 s. 26 m (85 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and double gallery. Lighthouse painted with red and white horizontal bands. A good closeup is available, Trabas also has a good photo, Carlos Olmo Bosco has a 2008 photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located just off the old coastal road (highway N-340A) on the west side of Adra. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-068; Admiralty E0088; NGA 4424.

* Punta de los Baños

1992. Active; focal plane 22 m (72 ft); four white flashes every 11 s. Approx. 18 m (59 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower with the light displayed from a "shelf" projecting from the top of the tower. Trabas has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. This unusual modern lighthouse was designed by the architect Rafael Melida Poch. Located on a point of land at Guardias Viejas. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-291; ES-22140; Admiralty E0089.5; NGA 4430.

* Sabinal (Punta Sabinar) (3)

1926 (station established 1863). Active; focal plane 34 m (112 ft) three white flashes, in a 1+2 pattern, every 10 s. 32 m (105 ft) round masonry tower with lantern and double gallery, attached to a 1-story keeper's house. Lighthouse painted white with ocher trim. Trabas has a good photo, Solabre also has a photo, Carlos Olmo Bosco has a 2008 photo, and Google has a good satellite view. The first lighthouse, a 9 m (30 ft) tower built only 50 m (55 ft) from the sea, collapsed in the surf in 1915 and was replaced immediately by a temporary wooden tower. The new lighthouse was set back 400 m (1/4 mi) from the beach to save it from continuing erosion. Fighting during the Spanish Civil War heavily damaged the present lighthouse and destroyed its Fresnel lens in June 1937. Located in El Sabinal, an area of dunes and wetlands south of San Agustín, at the western entrance to the Golfo de Almería. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Reserva Natural Punta Entinas-Sabinar. ARLHS SPA-258; ES-22250; Admiralty E0090; NGA 4440.

*** Roquetas de Mar 1863. Inactive since 1942 (a decorative light is displayed). Approx. 12 m (39 ft) round cylindrical stone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to the front of a 1-story stone keeper's house. The buildings are unpainted; lantern painted white with a green dome. A photo is at right, Solabre has a photo another good photo and a nighttime photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. The lighthouse was abandoned because of changes to the harbor, and because it was too short to show up well against the lights of the town. It was replaced by lights on the breakwaters. Recently the lighthouse has been restored and transferred to the city; it is in use as a gallery for art and photography exhibits. Located on the waterfront on the south side of the harbor of Roquetas de Mar. Site open, building open daily, tower status unknown. Owner/site manager: Ayuntamiento de Roquetas de Mar. ARLHS SPA-298; Admiralty E0092. * Almería (Castillo de San Telmo) 1976. Active; focal plane 77 m (253 ft) two white flashes every 12 s. 7 m (23 ft) square cylindrical tower with lantern built atop a watchtower of the Castillo de San Telmo. Trabas has a photo, Solabre also has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Lighthouse painted white with a black vertical stripe. The castle was built in the late 18th century. Located on heights on the west side of Almería, above Castell del Rey. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-064; ES-22360; Admiralty E0093; NGA 4452. Almería Dique de Poniente (Almería Breakwater) (3) 1925 (station established 1865). Active; focal plane 19 m (62 ft); red flash every 5 s. 12 m (39 ft) octagonal cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white, lantern and gallery red. Trabas has a photo, Carlos Moreno has a fine 2007 closeup, and Google has a satellite view. The first lighthouse was made obsolete by extension of the breakwater; it was replaced with an unusual portable light (on a wheeled cart) in 1883. Located at the end of the breakwater, a long pier enclosing the harbor of Almería. Accessible by walking the breakwater. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-116; ES-22430; Admiralty E0096; NGA 4464.

Faro de Roquetas de Mar, September 2009 anonymous Creative Commons photo

* Cabo de Gata

1863 (Antonio Molina). Active; focal plane 55 m (180 ft); flash every 4 s, white or red depending on direction. 19 m (62 ft) round stone tower with lantern and double gallery, attached to a 1-story keeper's house. Buildings painted white with ocher trim; lantern is unpainted gray metallic. Fog horn (Morse code "G": two longs and one short, every 40 s). Trabas has a rare closeup by Ian Wright, Silvia Solabre also has a photo, a more distant photo shows the spectacular site of the lighthouse, and Google has a satellite view. This historic and famous lighthouse marks the extreme southeastern corner of Spain, a location that has been the site of countless shipwrecks since the time of the Phoeniceans. The light station was built on the ruins of the 1737 Fuerte de San Francisco de Paula. During World War I German submarines sank so many ships off the cape that the British protested to Spain, believing that the lightkeepers must be tipping off the subs; an investigation proved they were not. The lighthouse was repaired after being damaged by an air raid during the Spanish Civil War in July 1937. The wild area surrounding the cape is now included in a national park. Located on the southernmost point of the cape. Site and tower closed, but the lighthouse can be viewed from nearby. Site manager: Parque Natural de Cabo de Gata-Níjar. ARLHS SPA-015; ES-22640; Admiralty E0106; NGA 4492.

Punta de la Polacra

1991. Active; focal plane 281 m (922 ft); three white flashes every 14 s. 14 m (56 ft) round strongly conical stone watchtower, converted to a lighthouse by addition of a light on a short mast at the top. The tower is unpainted gray stone. Trabas has a photo, Carlos Olmo Bosco has a 2008 photo, and Google has a satellite view. This watchtower is comparatively recent, having been built in 1767. It has become the highest lighthouse in Spain and is said to be the highest of the Mediterranean. Located atop a high cliff called Cerro de los Lobos, about 25 km (15 mi) northeast of Cabo de Gata. Site status unknown. Site manager: Parque Natural de Cabo de Gata-Níjar. ARLHS SPA-213; ES-22662; Admiralty E0107.7; NGA 4495.

* Mesa Roldán 1863 (Antonio Molina). Active; focal plane 222 m (728 ft); four white flashes every 20 s. 18 m (59 ft) octagonal tower with lantern and double gallery, attached to a 1-story keeper's house. 3rd order Fresnel lens in use. Buildings painted white with ocher trim; the lantern is painted gray metallic. Trabas has a closeup photo, Carlos Olmo Bosco has a 2008 photo, Juan Sánchez has a panoramic view, and Google has a satellite view. The light at Punta de la Polacra is higher, but this historic lighthouse has a much greater range of 43 km (27 mi). Located atop a high cliff about 8 km (5 mi) south of Carboneras. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Parque Natural de Cabo de Gata-Nijar. ARLHS SPA-178; ES-22700; Admiralty E0108; NGA 4496. ** Garrucha 1881. Active; focal plane 19 m (62 ft); white light occulting four times every 13 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical stone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a square 1-story stone keeper's house. Building painted white; the lantern is gray metallic. A photo is at right, Solabre has a photo, Trabas also has a photo, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Built to replace the 1863 Villaricos light, this harbor lighthouse has remained in service even though it is dwarfed now by modern development. The building houses the port captain's office. Located on the waterfront of Garrucha, near the south end of town. Site open, building probably open during business hours, tower status unknown. ARLHS SPA-078; ES-22800; Admiralty E0110; NGA 4512.

Faro de Garrucha, August 2005 anonymous Creative Commons photo

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Posted February 1, 2006. Checked and revised October 4, 2009. Lighthouses: 48. Site copyright 2009 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.