Lighthouse of La Serena facts for kids
| Location | La Serena, Chile |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 29°54′20.4″S 71°16′27.38″W / 29.905667°S 71.2742722°W |
| Year first constructed | 1950 |
| Year first lit | 1951 |
| Foundation | Concrete |
| Construction | Concrete |
| Tower shape | Square tower with balcony and lantern rising from the centre of one-story building |
| Markings / pattern | Cream color tower with red trim, red lantern |
| Height | 25 metres (82 ft) |
| Focal height | 28 metres (92 ft) |
| Characteristic | Fl W 5s. |
The Monumental Lighthouse of La Serena (also known as Faro Monumental de La Serena) is a famous lighthouse in La Serena, Chile. It stands tall on Avenida del Mar and is one of the most recognized buildings in the city. Many people visit it, making it a popular tourist spot.
Contents
Building the Lighthouse
This special lighthouse was built between 1950 and 1951. It was a project requested by the President of Chile at the time, Gabriel González Videla. He had a big plan to improve La Serena, called the Plan Serena.
Who Designed and Built It?
The design for the lighthouse came from Ramiro Pérez Arce. The building work was managed by Jorge Tanks Larenas, a civil engineer from the University of Chile.
Opening and Handover
In April 1953, the lighthouse was officially given to the city authorities. This included the mayor, Ernesto Aguirre Valín, and President González Videla himself. On October 24, 1953, the lighthouse was officially opened. Even though it was a lighthouse, its lighting system was later removed. It became a famous landmark and was shown on maps.
Becoming a Tourist Spot
Years later, on November 7, 1985, Admiral José Toribio Merino suggested that the lighthouse should become a tourist attraction. The Chilean Navy officially handed over the lighthouse to the Municipality of La Serena on May 12, 1986. Since then, the city has been in charge of keeping it in good condition. On June 9, 2010, the lighthouse was added to the National Heritage List, recognizing its importance.
See Also
In Spanish: Faro Monumental de La Serena para niños- List of lighthouses and lightvessels in Chile
- List of National Monuments of Chile
