Castillo San Felipe del Morro Lighthouse facts for kids
.jpg) |
|
 Castillo San Felipe del Morro Lighthouse
Location in Puerto Rico
|
|
| Location | San Juan, Puerto Rico |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 18°28′15.79″N 66°7′25.01″W / 18.4710528°N 66.1236139°W |
| Year first lit | 1908 (rebuilt tower by the U.S Coast Guard ) |
| Automated | 1962 |
| Foundation | Fort |
| Construction | Brick/Masonry (1908 tower) |
| Tower shape | Square tower on castle |
| Markings / pattern | Gray "Moorish revival" |
| Original lens | Third order, Fresnel 1908 |
| ARLHS number | PUR-005 |
The Castillo San Felipe del Morro Lighthouse is a famous lighthouse in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. It sits high up on the walls of the historic Castillo San Felipe del Morro fort. People also call it the Faro del Morro or the Puerto San Juan Light. This lighthouse was the very first one ever built in Puerto Rico!
Contents
A Look Back: The Lighthouse's History
The lighthouse you see today isn't the first one built here. The original lighthouse was constructed in 1846. It used five special mirrors to shine its light.
Changes Over Time
In 1876, a new lighthouse tower was built. This one was made of iron and had eight sides. It stood proudly on top of the fort's walls.
Lighthouse in Wartime
During the Spanish–American War in 1898, the lighthouse was hit. U.S. forces fired at it during the Puerto Rico campaign. After the war, the lighthouse was rebuilt in 1899.
The Modern Lighthouse
However, the 1899 lighthouse soon had problems with its structure. It was taken down in 1906. The lighthouse we see today was built in 1908. It has a unique "Moorish Revival" style, looking like a square tower on a castle.
Visiting the Lighthouse and Fort
Today, you can visit the Castillo San Felipe del Morro Lighthouse. Tours are sometimes offered inside the tower. The lighthouse and the fort are part of the San Juan National Historic Site. This site also includes Castillo San Cristóbal and parts of the old city walls. All these historic places are open for the public to explore!
Images for kids
-
Photo of the second lighthouse built on top of Castillo San Felipe del Morro, around 1895.
.jpg)
