Lighthouses of Spain: Northern Galicia

Galicia is an autonomous region in the northwestern corner of Spain, including the three coastal provinces of Lugo, A Coruña, and Pontevedra plus the inland province of Orense. This page includes lighthouses of the northern coast of the region, including Lugo province and northern A Coruña province.

Galicians speak a distinctive language, called Galego (or Gallego), which is related to Portuguese. The Galician coastline is rugged and scenic, but very dangerous to navigation; it is often called the "Coast of Death" (Costa da Morte in Galego). Most of the harbors are partly-sheltered bays called rías, a word similar to "roads" as it is used in nautical English. There are also several major protected harbors, including Ferrol and A Coruña in A Coruña province.

The word for a lighthouse is faro in Spanish (farol in Galego), 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 each province.

Most of the lighthouses listed on this page are maintained by the Autoridad Portuaria de Ferrol - San Cibrao. Lighthouses of the Ría de la Coruña are maintained by the Autoridad Portuaria de A Coruña. (La Coruña is spelled A Coruña in Galego.)

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 volume D of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA List numbers are from Publication 113.

General Sources
Libro de Faros
A comprehensive web site for Spanish lighthouses, maintained by Agustín Solabre Suárez.
Online List of Lights - Spain
A huge collection of photos posted by Alexander Trabas.
Lighthouses in Spain
Excellent aerial photos posted by Marinas.com.
Lighthouses in Spain
Photos available from Wikimedia.
Ayudas a la Navegación
Information posted by the Autoridad Portuaria de Ferrol - San Cibrao; unfortunately there are no photos.
La Web de un Farero
A comprehensive web site on the lighthouses of Lugo and the Ferrol area.
Faros de Galicia
Posted by the education ministry of A Coruña, this site has small photos, descriptions, and historical information on 27 Galician lighthouses.
Leuchttürme Spaniens auf historischen Postkarten
Historic postcard images posted by Klaus Huelse.

Torre de Hércules
Torre de Hércules, A Coruña, August 2011
Flickr Creative Commons photo by José Luis Cernadas Iglesias

Lighthouses of A Coruña Province

A Coruña District Lighthouses
**** Torre de Hércules
Early 2nd century AD (extensively reconstructed in the late 1700s). Active; focal plane 106 m (348 ft); four white flashes every 20 s. 49 m (161 ft) square cylindrical stone tower, incorporating keeper's quarters, surmounted by an octagonal stone watchroom, lantern and gallery. The tower is unpainted dark gray stone; lantern is black. Many photos are available, the photo by José Luis Cernadas Iglesias at the top of this page, another great photo posted by Trabas, and aerial photos by Marinas.com; in all the photos notice the internal spiral structure of the building. Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. This is the world's oldest active lighthouse, and also one of its most famous and most historic. The original construction date of the lighthouse is not known, but an inscription found near the original foundation mentions an architect known to have been active in Spain during the rule of the Emperor Trajan (98-117 AD). At that time, A Coruña was the Roman city of Brigantium. The lighthouse was abandoned during the Dark Ages after the fall of Rome, but it was put back in service by the 13th century, when A Coruña became an important port. By the 17th century, however, the lighthouse was a quaint ruin, and efforts were made to shore it up. Complete restoration had to wait until 1785, when Carlos III ordered a reconstruction. What was left of the Roman structure was patched up and encased in new granite masonry, and the tower was extended in height with an octagonal second stage and the octagonal watch room. Today the lighthouse is the symbol of A Coruña and one of the most visited tourist attractions in Galicia. It is called the Tower of Hercules because of an old legend that Hercules himself built it. In June 2009, the tower was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in the Parque de la Torre at the northern end of the peninsula on whch A Coruña is built, nearly surrounded by water and with a sweeping view of the open Atlantic. Site and tower open daily. Site manager: Concello da Coruña. ARLHS SPA-276; ES-03530; Admiralty D1704; NGA 2548.
* Castillo de San Antón
1872. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft) two green flashes every 7 s. 6 m (20 ft) masonry tower with lantern. Tower is unpainted stone; lantern is dark green metallic. Marc Hoffmann's photo is at right, Trabas has a good photo, Solabre also has a closeup photo, and Google has a satellite view. The Castillo de San Antón is built on a small island blocking access to the inner harbor of A Coruña. Construction began in 1587, and the unfinished fortress saw action against Sir Frances Drake's raid in 1589. Used for much of the 20th century as a prison, the fortress was converted to an archeological and historical museum in 1964. The lighthouse is located near the eastern end of the fortress, which is now joined to the city by a causeway promenade. Site and fortress open daily, tower closed. Site manager: Museo Arqueoloxía e Histórico Castelo de San Antón. ARLHS SPA-062; ES-03600; Admiralty D1716; NGA 2572.
Castillo de San Antón
Castillo de San Antón, September 2011
Flickr Creative Commons photo by Marc Hoffmann
* Oza
1917. Inactive since 1963. 7 m (23 ft) octagonal stone tower centered on the flat roof of a 1-story keeper's cottage. House painted white; a metal enclosure protects the lantern. R.F. Rumbao has a photo, there is a closeup of the lantern, and Google has a satellite view. This was formerly the front light of a range guiding ships into the harbor of A Coruña; it was abandoned when development of the port required a different line of approach, presumably the Punta Fieiteira Range. The port authority secured the building in 1997. There have been various proposals to restore it, none accepted so far. Located south of the port area off the Avenida del Pasaje. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-328.
Punta Fieiteira Anterior (Faro de Santa Cristina)
1963(?). Active; focal plane 29 m (95 ft); white, red, or green light depending on direction, 1 s on, 1 s off. 10 m (33 ft) square rubblestone tower. The tower is unpainted, but the entire front face is covered by a daymark painted with red and white horizontal bands. Trabas has a closeup photo, Javier Branas has a view from below the tower, and Google has a satellite view. Ships entering A Coruña follow the Punta Mera range to the middle of the entrance of the Ría da Coruña and then turn 74° to the right onto the Punta Fieiteira Range. Located on a headland in Perillo, at the southern end of the Ría de la Coruña. Site status unknown. ARLHS SPA-292; ES-03560; Admiralty D1710; NGA 2560.
* Punta Fieiteira Posterior
1963(?). Active; focal plane 54 m (177 ft); red light occulting once every 4 s. 10 m (33 ft) square rubblestone tower, attached to a 1-story equipment room. The tower is unpainted, but the entire front face is covered by a daymark painted with red and white horizontal bands. Trabas has a closeup photo, a view from the rear is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the Rúa Cubelos in Perillo on the west side of the Rúa Miradoiro. Site probably open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-293; ES-03561; Admiralty D1710.1; NGA 2564.
* Punta Mera Anterior
1918. Active; focal plane 56 m (184 ft); white or red light, depending on direction, occulting once every 4 s. 11 m (36 ft) octagonal tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. A photo is at right, Lighthouse Explorer has a good closeup photo by José Ramón Matos Prego, a closeup is available, and Google has a satellite view. J. Trujillo has an interesting night photo of this lighthouse facing the Torre de Hércules (see above) across the roads. The range guides ships on the initial approach to La Coruña. Located on a headland at the eastern side of the entrance to the Ría de la Coruña, 1.5 km (1 mi) west of Mera. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-243; ES-03550; Admiralty D1706; NGA 2552.
* Punta Mera Posterior
1918. Active; focal plane 81 m (266 ft); white flash every 4 s. 14 m (46 ft) octagonal tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. Trabas has a good photo, Solabre has a photo, the tourist agency Turgalicia also has photos, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the Rúa Emilio Ferreiro, 300 m (985 ft) east southeast of the front light. Site probably open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-295; ES-03551; Admiralty D1708; NGA 2556.
Faro de Punta Mera
Faro de Punta Mera Anterior, October 2008
(Torre de Hercules in the distance)
Flickr Creative Commons photo by GodBlood

Southern Ferrol District (Ría de Ferrol) Lighthouses
* San Martín Range Front
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); white flash every 1.5 s. 8 m (26 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower. The tower is unpainted but the front face is covered with white tile. The light is shown through a small square opening near the top of the tower. Trabas has a closeup photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a promontory on the south side of the Ría de Ferrol about 3 km (2 mi) west of El Baño. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-364; Admiralty D1696; NGA 2476.
* San Martín Range Rear
Date unknown. Active; focal plane unknown; white light occulting once every 4 s. 13 m (43 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower. The tower is unpainted but the front face is covered with white tile. The light is shown through a small square opening near the top of the tower. Trabas has a closeup photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located beside the coastal road on the south side of the Ría de Ferrol 700 m (0.44 mi) east of the front light. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-365; Admiralty D1696.1; NGA 2480.
Castillo de la Palma
1862. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); two long white flashes and one quick flash every 7 s. 7 m (23 ft) stone tower attached to a 1-story keeper's house. Tower unpainted; house painted white with a red roof. Trabas has a closeup photo, another closeup is available, and Google has a good satellite view. The Castillo de la Palma is one of several fortresses built to defend the port and naval base of Ferrol; the original fort was built in 1597, but the present structure dates from the late 1860s. The lighthouse is located on a promontory a short distance upstream (east) of the fort, on the south side of the Ría de Ferrol, about 1.5 km (1 mi) northwest of El Baño. Site status unknown. ARLHS SPA-061; ES-3300; Admiralty D1697; NGA 2484.
* Ferrol Arsenal
Date unknown (station established 1865). Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); three red flashes, in a 2+1 pattern, every 12 s. 7 m (23 ft) post light mounted atop a 1-story watchroom on the wall of a late medieval fort. Watchroom painted white; the post is painted red. Trabas has a good photo, and Google has a satellite view. The historic Arsenal Militar de Ferrol is now the home of a naval museum. Located on the southernmost point of a large quay on the west side of the inner harbor of Ferrol. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Museo Naval de El Ferrol. Admiralty D1698.9; NGA 2516.
* Bateria de San Cristóbal (2)
2008 (station establishment date unknown). Active; focal plane 33 m (108 ft); white, red or green light, continuous or flashing, depending on direction. 6 m (20 ft) square white concrete (?) tower. Trabas has a closeup photo. This sophisticated 5-sector directional light guides vessels entering the Ría de Ferrol. The former light (which is believed to be standing) was a 6 m (20 ft) round tower (focal plane 21 m (69 ft)) mounted on the ruins of a fortification. A photo and a second photo of the former light are available, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located on a headland on the north side of the Ría de Ferrol, about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) west of San Felipe. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-007; Admiralty D1695; NGA 2468.
* Cabo Prioriño Chico
1854. Active; focal plane 36 m (118 ft); white flash every 5 s. 6 m (20 ft) stone tower with lantern and gallery, embedded in the front of a 1-story masonry keeper's house. Tower is unpainted stone; house and watch room painted white with unpainted stone trim; lantern dome painted white. A photo is at right, Trabas has a fine closeup photo, a 2009 photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse stands at the end of a peninsula marking the entrance to the Ría de Ferrol and the approach to the harbor of Ferrol. The building was heavily damaged by vandals in 1990 and was out of service for several months; the optical equipment had to be replaced. It was replaced again in 1995, when the light was converted from gas to electric power and an acrylic Fresnel lens was installed. The light station commands a spectacular view of the Atlantic, the Ría de Ferrol to the northeast, and the Ría de Batanzos to the southeast. Located 15 km (9 mi) southwest of Ferrol. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-039; ES-03240; Admiralty D1694; NGA 2464.
Cabo Prioriño Chico Light
Faro de Cabo Prioriño Chico, August 2008
Flickr Creative Commons photo by M. Pilar

Northern Ferrol District (Cabo Prior Area) Lighthouses
* Punta del Castro
Date unknown. Active; focal plane and characteristics unknown. 7 m (23 ft) trapezoidal cylindrical stone tower with a slanted roof carrying solar panels. The tower is unpainted. Trabas has a closeup photo, and Google has a satellite view. Note that there is another Punta del Castro light near Barqueiro (see below). Located on a promontory at O Priegal. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-098; Admiralty D1693; not listed by NGA.
* Cabo Prior
1853. Active; focal plane 107 m (351 ft); three white flashes in a 1+2 pattern every 15 s. 8 m (26 ft) hexagonal stone tower with lantern and gallery, embedded in the front of a U-shaped 1-story masonry keeper's house. The tower is unpainted stone; the house and watch room are painted beige with unpainted stone trim; the lantern dome is painted black. Trabas has a closeup photo, a 2008 photo is available, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. A walkway leads steeply down from the lighthouse to a narrow point of land overlooking the sea. Cabo Prior is the most prominent headland between Capes Finisterre and Ortegal, and the historic light here is an important landfall light for the ports of Ferrol and A Coruña. The lighthouse is at the top of a vertical cliff; a photo (halfway down the page) shows the view from the sea. Located 14 km (9 mi) northwest of Ferrol and 4 km (2.5 mi) northwest of Pedreira. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-038; ES-03220; Admiralty D1692; NGA 2460.
* Punta Frouxeira
1994. Active; focal plane 75 m (246 ft); five white flashes every 15 s. 30 m (98 ft) square cylindrical skeletal concrete tower with enclosed watch room and a small lantern. The tower is unpainted white concrete, with inner walls covered in blue; originally green, the lantern is now blue. A photo appears at right, Trabas has an older photo, Lois Fernandez has a 2009 photo, and Google has a distant satellite view. Close to beach resorts, this striking modern lighthouse is often photographed. Located on a headland about 5 km (3 mi) west of Valdoviño. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-101; ES-03210; Admiralty D1690; NGA 2458.
Punta Promontorio (Cedeira)
1862. Active; focal plane 26 m (85 ft); white light occulting four times every 10 s. 8 m (26 ft) hexagonal tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a small 1-story keeper's cottage. Lighthouse painted white. Trabas has a closeup photo, and another good photo is available, but clouds obscure the lighthouse in Google's satellite view. Located on a promontory in the middle of the Ría de Cedeira, about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) southwest of the town. Site status unknown; there doesn't seem to be a good land access to this site. ARLHS SPA-327; ES-03192; Admiralty D1688; NGA 2456.
Faro de Punta Frouxeira
Faro de Punta Frouxeira, June 2010
Flickr Creative Commons photo by Pilar
* Punta Candieira (Candelaria)
1954. Active; focal plane 89 m (292 ft); four white flashes in a 3+1 pattern every 24 s. 9 m (30 ft) cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery, rising from one corner of a 1-story keeper's house. Lighthouse painted white with red trim. Trabas has a closeup photo, and a fine 2007 closeup shows the lighthouse freshly painted. Clouds obscure Google's satellite view. This lighthouse was authorized in 1929 and completed in 1934, but it was not placed in service for 20 years. One writer attributes this delay to olvido burocrático (bureaucratic forgetfulness), but the Spanish Civil War and World War II probably played a role. In Trabas's photo it is clear the keeper's house is occupied. Located on a very steep point about 8 km (5 mi) north of Cedeira by a challenging road; 4WD recommended. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-202; ES-03170; Admiralty D1687; NGA 2452.

Ortegal District Lighthouses
* Cabo Ortegal
1984. Active; focal plane 124 m (407 ft); white light, 6 s on, 2 s off. 10 m (33 ft) cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and double gallery, painted white with a red horizontal band below the lower gallery. Bernt Rostad's photo is at right, Trabas has a good photo, Solabre has a closeup photo, Wikimedia has two photos, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. Cabo Ortegal is 12 km (7.5 mi) west and a little south of Punta de la Estaca de Bares; it is the point where the Spanish coastline changes direction from east-west to northeast-southwest. A light was initially planned here in 1846, but mariners preferred Estaca de Bares. In 1908 and again in 1930 there were proposals for a light at Ortegal, but Punta Candelaria was chosen instead. Located atop a very steep headland at the tip of the cape, about 5 km (3 mi) north of Cariño. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-036; ES-03160; Admiralty D1686.3; NGA 2450.
Faro de Cabo Ortegal
Faro de Cabo Ortegal, July 2007
Flickr Creative Commons photo by Bernt Rostad
* Estaca de Bares
1850 (Félix Uhagón). Active; focal plane 101 m (331 ft); two white flashes every 7.5 s. 10 m (33 ft) octagonal stone tower with a birdcage-style lantern and gallery, attached to a 2-story keeper's house complex. The tower is unpainted gray stone; the watch room and keeper's house are painted white with unpainted stone trim. Fog siren (Morse code "B": one long and three shorts, every 60 s). A photo by Miguel Menéndez Arias is at right, Trabas also has a great closeup photo, Wikimedia has a good photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse stands on the northernmost point of Spain, generally considered to be the boundary between the open Atlantic and the Mare Cantábrico (Bay of Biscay). Together with the light on Cabo Finisterre, it is one of the two lighthouses ordered in 1846 to light the northwestern corner of the Iberian Peninsula. Located at the tip of a peninsula 5 km (3 mi) long; accessible by road from Porto de Barqueiro at the base of the peninsula. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-230; ES-03100; Admiralty D1686; NGA 2444.
* Punta de la Barra
Date unknown (late 1930s or 1940s). Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); flash every 3 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 9 m (30 ft) unpainted concrete tower with gallery but no lantern. Trabas has a closeup photo, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located on the west side of the entrance to the Ría del Barquiero about 1.4 km (0.9 mi) northeast of the Porto de Barqueiro waterfront. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-360; Admiralty D1685.2; NGA 2436.
Faro de Bares
Faro de Bares, June 2008
Flickr Creative Commons photo by Miguel Menéndez Arias

Lighthouses of Lugo Province

A Mariña Occidental District Lighthouses
* Punta del Castro
Date unknown (late 1930s or 1940s). Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); two white flashes every 7 s. 9 m (30 ft) unpainted concrete tower with gallery but no lantern. Trabas has a closeup photo, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Note that there is another Punta del Castro light at O Priegal (see above). Located on the east side of the entrance to the Ría del Barquiero at O Vicedo. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-361; Admiralty D1685; NGA 2440.
Isla Coelleiria (Isla Conejera)
1893. Active; focal plane 89 m (292 ft); four white flashes every 24 s. 7 m (23 ft) tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story keeper's house. Tower is gray stone; house painted white. Trabas has a photo, Ted Sarah has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. The island is a huge wedge of stone a short distance off the coast 5 km (3 mi) northeast of O Vicedo. Located on the highest point of the island. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS SPA-028; ES-03060; Admiralty D1684; NGA 2432.
Punta Roncadoira
1974. Active; focal plane 94 m (308 ft); white flash every 7.5 s. 14 m (46 ft) cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and double gallery, painted white. Trabas has a closeup, Solabre has a photo by Enrique Gil, and Javier Churruca has another good photo, but clouds block Google's satellite view. Roncadoira is a prominent cape, and it is surprising there was no light here long before 1974. Located on a steep headland about 7 km (4.5 mi) north of Xove. Site status unknown; there may be no road access to this site. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-257; ES-02990; Admiralty D1678.8; NGA 2410.
* San Cibrao (San Ciprián, Punta Atalaya) (1)
1864. Inactive since 1979. 9 m (30 ft) stone tower with lantern and gallery attached to the front of a 1-story masonry keeper's house. Tower is unpainted; lantern is silvery gray; house painted white with unpainted stone trim. Jorge Louzao Peñalva's photo is at right, Solabre also has a photo by Enrique Gil, Trabas has a good photo of both lighthouses, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. The tower was altered when the present lantern was installed in 1927. Located on a headland that provides natural shelter for the port of San Cibrao (San Ciprián). Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-326.
* San Cibrao (San Ciprián, Punta Atalaya) (2)
1979 (station established 1860). Active; focal plane 41 m (135 ft); five white flashes every 20 s. 14 m (46 ft) cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and double gallery, painted with black and white horizontal bands. Trabas has a good photo of both lighthouses. Located adjacent to the 1860 lighthouse. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-192; ES-02870; Admiralty D1676; NGA 2376.

A Mariña Central District Lighthouse
Piedra de Burela
Date unknown (1950s or 1960s). Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); three quick white flashes every 10 s. 8 m (26 ft) cylindrical tower with gallery and a modern lantern structure. Tower painted black with a yellow horizontal band below the gallery. Solabre has a photo, Trabas has a good closeup., and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located on a rocky ledge about 800 m (1/2 mi) off the fishing port of Burela. Accessible only by boat, but there should be distant views from the shore. Site and tower closed. ARLHS SPA-027; ES-02830; Admiralty D1673; NGA 2368.

Faros de San Cibrao, August 2007
Flickr Creative Commons photo by Jorge Louzao Peñalva

A Mariña Oriental District Lighthouses
* Isla Pancha (Ribadeo) (1)
1860. Inactive since 1983. 9 m (30 ft) square tower with lantern and gallery centered on the roof of a square 1-story keeper's house. Building painted white with blue trim; lantern dome is black. José Ignacio López has a photo, Solabre also has a nice photo by Enrique Gil, and in Trabas's photo we see that a Fresnel lens is still mounted in this tower. Google has a satellite view of the station. After its replacement in 1983, the building served as a generator house. Isla Pancha is a small, rocky island at the northwestern entrance to the harbor of Ribadeo. A bridge connects the island to the mainland, as seen in Fran García's photo. Located about 4 km (2.5 mi) north of Ribadeo. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-325.
* Isla Pancha (Ribadeo) (2)
1983 (station established 1860). Active; focal plane 26 m (85 ft); four white flashes, in a 3+1 pattern, every 20 s. 13 m (43 ft) cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and double gallery, painted with black and white horizontal bands. Fog siren (Morse code "R": short-long-short, every 30 s). Trabas has a good photo, and P. Christen has a closeup. Located adjacent to the 1860 lighthouse. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SPA-155; ES-02725; Admiralty D1660; NGA 2340.

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

Adjoining pages: East: Asturias and Cantabria | South: Western Galicia

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Posted December 2, 2005. Checked and revised February 27, 2011. Lighthouses: 29. Site copyright 2011 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.