Punta de Anaga Lighthouse facts for kids
| Location | Anaga Tenerife Canary Islands Spain |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 28°34′53″N 16°08′24″W / 28.581328°N 16.140019°W |
| Year first constructed | 1864 |
| Construction | stone tower |
| Tower shape | cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern attached to 1-storey keeper's house |
| Markings / pattern | unpainted tower, white lantern |
| Height | 12 metres (39 ft) |
| Focal height | 247 metres (810 ft) |
| Original lens | original 1st order Barbier & Fenestre Fresnel lens |
| Range | 21 nautical miles (39 km; 24 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl (2+4) W 30s. |
| Spain number | ES-12630 |
The Punta de Anaga Lighthouse (which means Faro Punta de Anaga in Spanish) is an active lighthouse. It stands on the Canary island of Tenerife, in a place called Santa Cruz de Tenerife. This lighthouse is at the very northern tip of the island. It's where the Anaga mountain range meets the ocean.
Lighthouses are like giant beacons. They help ships find their way and stay safe at sea. This lighthouse was built here after plans for a different one changed. There was a disagreement about who owned the Savage Islands, which are north of Tenerife. So, the lighthouse was built at Punta de Anaga instead.
History of the Lighthouse
Building a Guiding Light
The Punta de Anaga Lighthouse was finished in 1864. This makes it one of the oldest lighthouses in the Canary Islands. Another lighthouse, Punta de Jandía on Gran Canaria, also opened in the same year.
Design and Features
This lighthouse looks a lot like other lighthouses built in the Canary Islands during the 1800s. It has a white house with one floor. Dark volcanic rock was used to add details to the building.
A tall tower, about 12 meters (39 feet) high, is attached to the side of the house facing the Atlantic Ocean. This tower has two balconies.
The Powerful Lens
The lighthouse still uses its original lens. This special lens is called a Fresnel lens. It was made by a company in Paris named Barbier and Fenestre.
The light from the lighthouse shines from 247 meters (810 feet) above the sea. This means its light can be seen from far away. It can reach up to 21 nautical miles, which is about 39 kilometers (24 miles).
The lighthouse is looked after by the port authority of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. It has special numbers to identify it for ships around the world. These are D2820 and 113–23852.
See Also
- List of lighthouses in Spain
- List of lighthouses in the Canary Islands
