Punta Delgada Lighthouse facts for kids
| Location | Alegranza, Canary Islands, Spain |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 29°24′12″N 13°29′19″W / 29.40329°N 13.48855°W |
| Year first lit | 1865 |
| Tower shape | cylindrical tower |
| Height | 15 metres (49 ft) |
| Focal height | 17 metres (56 ft) |
| Range | 12 nautical miles (22 km; 14 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl W 3s |
The Punta Delgada Lighthouse is also known as the Alegranza Lighthouse. It is an active lighthouse built in the 1800s. You can find it on the Spanish island of Alegranza. This island is part of the Canary Islands.
Alegranza is a small island located north of the larger island of Lanzarote. It belongs to the Chinijo Archipelago. This area is part of the Teguise municipality.
Contents
History of the Lighthouse
The Punta Delgada Lighthouse was one of the first lighthouses built in the Canary Islands. It was part of a big plan to light up the sea for ships. An engineer named Juan de León y Castillo designed it.
Building the lighthouse started in 1861. It began working and guiding ships in 1865.
How the Lighthouse Was Built
The lighthouse was built in a style called neo-classical. Many other lighthouses in the Canary Islands from the 1800s look similar. It has a white building with dark volcanic rock details.
The lighthouse stands on a point of land at the eastern end of Alegranza. The light shines from a special room at the top of a tower. This tower is about 15 meters (49 feet) tall. It is attached to the main building, facing the sea.
Life at the Lighthouse
The lighthouse building was designed for two lighthouse keepers and their families. It had a central open area called a courtyard. In the middle of the courtyard was a tank. This tank collected rainwater from the roof.
However, it did not rain often enough on the island. So, the tank did not collect enough water for two families. Because of this, a well was also built. It was about 20 meters (66 feet) from the lighthouse. This well helped collect and store water from the nearby mountain.
Protecting the Lighthouse
Both the keeper's house and the tower are important historical buildings. They are part of the Canary Islands' architectural heritage. In 2002, they were declared a cultural monument. This means they are protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural. They are listed in the official records for Las Palmas.
The Port authority of the Province of Las Palmas takes care of the lighthouse. It has special international numbers for ships and maps. These are D2772 and 113-24076.
See also
In Spanish: Faro de Punta Delgada para niños
- List of lighthouses in the Canary Islands
- List of lighthouses in Spain
