Ciutadella Lighthouse facts for kids
| Location | Punta de Sa Farola Ciutadella Menorca Spain |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 39°59′46″N 3°49′22″E / 39.9962°N 3.82274°E |
| Year first constructed | 1863 |
| Construction | masonry |
| Tower shape | cylindrical tower |
| Markings / pattern | white tower with black stripes |
| Height | 13 metres (43 ft) |
| Focal height | 21 metres (69 ft) |
| Range | 14 nautical miles (26 km; 16 mi) |
| Spain number | ES-36470 |
The Ciutadella Lighthouse, also known as Punta de Sa Farola or Sa Farola Lighthouse, is an old but still working lighthouse. It stands on the Spanish island of Menorca. This lighthouse was first finished in 1863. Over the years, it has been changed and updated many times.
You can find it near the entrance of the port of Ciutadella. It's on a spot called Sa Farola point, at the western end of Menorca island. On the other side of the harbor entrance is the Castell de Sant Nicolau. This is an old defensive tower from the 1600s.
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History of the Ciutadella Lighthouse
The Ciutadella Lighthouse was designed by an architect named Emili Pou. He also planned many other lighthouses in the Balearic Islands. Work on this lighthouse began in 1861. It started working for the first time in April 1863.
At first, it had a special lens that showed a steady light. The lighthouse helps ships find their way into the old port. But its location can be tricky. Big waves sometimes crash over the cliffs, flooding the lower parts of the buildings. To stop this, a tall concrete sea wall was built to protect it from the Mediterranean Sea.
In 1918, the Ciutadella Lighthouse became the fourth lighthouse in the Balearic Islands to get electricity. Today, a 150-watt lamp provides the light. It uses a special lens called a Fresnel lens, which is 400 millimeters wide.
The lighthouse tower was rebuilt and made taller in 1979. It grew to 13 meters high. A second walkway was also added to the tower at that time. In 2005, the lighthouse was recognized as an important historical site in Spain.
The Spanish postal service, Correos, even featured Sa Farola Lighthouse on a set of stamps in 2010. There were plans in 2015 to turn the lighthouse into a hotel. However, these plans did not go forward.
Where is the Lighthouse Located?
The Ciutadella Lighthouse is located on the Cami Sa Farola. This path is part of the Camí de Cavalls. The Camí de Cavalls is a long walking trail that goes all the way around Menorca island.
The lighthouse is on Stage 10 of this trail. This part of the path follows the coast. It starts from another lighthouse at Punta Nati. The trail then finishes in the town of Ciutadella.
How the Lighthouse Works
The light from the Ciutadella Lighthouse is 21 meters above sea level. This is called its focal height. The light flashes white every six seconds. Ships can see this light from up to 14 nautical miles away.
The lighthouse tower is 13 meters tall. It used to be all white. Now, it has black vertical stripes. These stripes help ships see it better during the day. The tower stands next to the house where the lighthouse keeper used to live.
The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands manages and takes care of the lighthouse. Its international number is E0344. The lighthouse is easy to see from the Sa Farola point. However, the buildings and tower are not open for visitors to go inside.
See also
- List of lighthouses in Spain
- List of lighthouses in the Balearic Islands
