Punta Orchilla Lighthouse facts for kids
| Location | El Pinar El Hierro Canary Islands Spain |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 27°42′24″N 18°08′51″W / 27.706665°N 18.147496°W |
| Year first constructed | 1933 |
| Construction | stone tower |
| Tower shape | octagonal tower with double balcony and lantern |
| Markings / pattern | unpainted tower, grey lantern |
| Height | 25 metres (82 ft) |
| Focal height | 132 metres (433 ft) |
| Range | 24 nautical miles (44 km; 28 mi) |
| Spain number | ES-13060 |
The Punta Orchilla Lighthouse (which in Spanish is called Faro de Punta Orchilla) is a working lighthouse. It stands on the Canary island of El Hierro, in a town called El Pinar. This lighthouse was first needed as part of a plan to light up the seas around the Canary Islands. It started helping ships find their way in 1933.
Discover Punta de la Orchilla
Punta de la Orchilla is a special place on the southwest side of El Hierro. It is one of the most western points in all the Canary Islands. Near the lighthouse, there is a monument that reminds us of its history. Long ago, mapmakers used this spot as a main line for their maps, called the Ferro Meridian. It was seen as the very edge of the known world!
The name "Orchilla" comes from a type of plant called Orchil lichen. This plant grows on the rocky, volcanic hills in the area. There is also a 238-meter-high hill nearby, also named Orchilla.
The lighthouse is in a very quiet and faraway spot. Some people even call it "probably Spain's most remote lighthouse." To get there, you have to travel about 25 kilometers from a town called Sabinosa. Part of the road is paved, but the very end is rough and bumpy. You can visit the area around the lighthouse, but the tower and other buildings are closed to visitors.
History of the Lighthouse
The Punta Orchilla Lighthouse began its service in 1933. It was built in a style similar to other lighthouses in the Canary Islands from that time. The lighthouse has a white, one-story building. Dark volcanic rock was used for some of the details in its construction.
A strong stone tower rises from the side of the building that faces the Atlantic Ocean. This tower is 25 meters tall and has eight sides. At the top, it has two walkways and a lantern room. Inside the lantern room is a large Fresnel lens. This special lens helps make the light very bright. The light is 132 meters above sea level. This means its light can be seen by ships up to 24 nautical miles away.
In 2008, the Spanish postal service, Correos, honored the Punta Orchilla Lighthouse. They featured it on one of six special stamps.
See also
- List of lighthouses in Spain
- List of lighthouses in the Canary Islands
