Punta del Castillete Lighthouse

Lighthouse on Gran Canaria, Spain

Lighthouse
27°49′10″N 15°46′06″W / 27.819351°N 15.768459°W / 27.819351; -15.768459TowerConstructed1996Automated1996 Edit this on WikidataHeight21 metres (69 ft)Shapesquare tower with external stairsMarkingstower with blue and white bandsOperatorAutoridad Portuaria de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria[1]LightFocal height114 metres (374 ft)Range17 nautical miles (31 km; 20 mi)CharacteristicFl W 5s.Spain no.ES-12607

The Punta del Castillete Lighthouse (Spanish: Faro de Punta del Castillete) is an active lighthouse on the Canary island of Gran Canaria. It is located on cliffs above the resort and fishing harbour of Puerto de Mogán, in the municipality of Mogán.[2] Punta Castillete is on the south-western side of the island facing the Atlantic Ocean, and lies between Maspalomas Lighthouse to the south and the lighthouse of Punta Sardina to the north.

History

The lighthouse was constructed between 1985 and 1995, and first entered service in March 1996. The modern design, which has been called "ungainly",[2] consists of a square base faced with dark volcanic rock, supporting a concrete tower with external stairways leading to a cantilevered gallery. Originally painted a sandy yellow colour, it was repainted in blue and white in 2014.[2]

The lighthouse is not connected to the electricity grid, but instead is powered by six solar panels charging a set of batteries. The 500 mm lantern is equipped with a 150 watt halogen lamp, producing a white light.[3] With a focal height of 114 m above sea level, its light can be seen for 17 nautical miles.[2][3]

El Faro restaurant and Puerto de Mogán breakwater light

The area around the lighthouse is accessible following a steep climb via a road with many hairpin turns from the resort of Puerto de Mogán, although the tower itself is closed.[2]

Puerto de Mogán

The nearby harbour in Puerto de Mogán has two smaller aids to navigation, which mark the entrance to the port and marina. On the main breakwater is a light mounted on a tower above the centre of the El Faro restaurant. Painted white with red bands, the lantern on the 6 m tower emits a flashing red light.[2][4]

On the opposite side of the entrance, next to the hotel is a beacon 2 m high, that shows a flashing green light.[4]

Punta del Castillete Lighthouse is located in Gran Canaria
Maspalomas
Maspalomas
La Isleta
La Isleta
Punta del Castillete
Punta del Castillete
Punta Sardina
Punta Sardina
class=notpageimage|
Map showing the principal lighthouses of Gran Canaria

See also

  • flagSpain portal
  • iconEngineering portal

References

  1. ^ Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Spain: Canary Islands". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Spain: Canary Islands". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
  3. ^ a b "Faro de Punta del Castillete". Maritime Signals. Puertos de Las Palmas. Archived from the original on 16 April 2015. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
  4. ^ a b List of Lights, Pub. 113: The West Coasts of Europe and Africa, the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and Azovskoye More (Sea of Azov) (PDF). List of Lights. United States National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. 2013. p. 421.
  • Comisión de faros Archived 4 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  • Autoridad Portuaria de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Authority control databases: Geographic Edit this at Wikidata
  • Admiralty
    • D2815.94
  • ARLHS
  • NGA