Punta del Castillete Lighthouse

Punta del Castillete Lighthouse

Punta del Castillete Lighthouse
Canary Islands
Location Puerto de Mogán
Gran Canaria
Canary Islands
Spain
Coordinates 27°49′10″N 15°46′06″W / 27.819351°N 15.768459°W / 27.819351; -15.768459Coordinates: 27°49′10″N 15°46′06″W / 27.819351°N 15.768459°W / 27.819351; -15.768459
Year first constructed 1996
Foundation stone basement
Construction masonry tower
Tower shape square parallelepiped tower rising from a basement with external stairs
Markings / pattern tower with blue and white bands
Height 21 metres (69 ft)
Focal height 114 metres (374 ft)
Light source mains power
Range 17 nautical miles (31 km; 20 mi)
Characteristic Fl W 5s.
Admiralty number D2815.94
NGA number 24023.7
ARLHS number CAI-006
Spain number ES-12607
Managing agent Autoridad Portuaria de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria[1]

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 500mm lantern is equipped with a 150 watt halogen lamp, producing a white light.[3] With a focal height of 114m above sea level, its light can be seen for 17 nautical miles.[2][3]

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

El Faro restaurant and Puerto de Mogán breakwater light

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 6m tower emits a flashing red light.[2][4]

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

Map

Punta del Castillete
Map showing the principal lighthouses of Gran Canaria

See also

References

  1. ↑ Punta del Castillete The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved March 30, 2016
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Spain: Canary Islands". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
  3. 1 2 "Faro de Punta del Castillete". Maritime Signals. Puertos de Las Palmas. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
  4. 1 2 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.
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