Punta del Castillete Lighthouse
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.
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| Location | Puerto de Mogán Gran Canaria Canary Islands Spain |
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| Coordinates | 27.819351°N 15.768459°W |
| Year first constructed | 1996 |
| Automated | 1996  |
| Tower shape | square tower with external stairs |
| Markings / pattern | tower with blue and white bands |
| Tower height | 21 metres (69 ft) |
| Focal height | 114 metres (374 ft) |
| Range | 17 nautical miles (31 km; 20 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl W 5s. |
| Admiralty number | D2815.94 |
| NGA number | 113-24023.7 |
| ARLHS number | CAI-006 |
| Spain number | ES-12607 |
| Managing agent | Autoridad Portuaria de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria[1] |
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]
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]
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References
- Punta del Castillete Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 30 March 2016
- Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Spain: Canary Islands". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
- "Faro de Punta del Castillete". Maritime Signals. Puertos de Las Palmas. Archived from the original on 16 April 2015. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
- 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.
