Name and Location

The Europa Point Trinity Lighthouse, also known simply as the Europa Point Lighthouse or Trinity Lighthouse, stands at the southernmost tip of Gibraltar, overlooking the meeting-point of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The address is 4M54+W39, Europa Point, Gibraltar GX11 1AA, Gibraltar.

Construction and History

The lighthouse was erected in 1841 by the Corporation of Trinity House (Port of Gibraltar) to guide vessels entering the Mediterranean from the Atlantic. It was converted to automatic operation in the late 20th century (c. 1970s–1980s). The lighthouse has no formal listing, but is a local interest as a maritime landmark.

Architecture and Materials

The tower type is cylindrical masonry with balcony and gallery, constructed from local limestone and brick, rendered white. The original cast-iron lantern room is painted black. The height of the tower is 18.9 meters (approximately 62 feet) above base, while the focal height is 49 meters (161 feet) above sea level.

Light and Navigation

The lighthouse has two lights: a white light with an isophase character of Iso W 10 s (5 seconds on, 5 seconds off), with a range of 18 nautical miles, and a sector from 197° to 125° (clockwise). The second light is red with an occulting character of Oc R 10 s (sequence 5.8 seconds on, 4.2 seconds off), with a range of 15 nautical miles, and a sector from 42° to 67°.

Accessibility and Visiting

The grounds are open to the public daily, free of charge. The tower interior is not open to visitors due to being an active restricted area. Access is available by foot via Engineer's Promenade from the city center (approximately 2 kilometers) or by car/tour bus with parking available at Europa Point visitor area. Facilities nearby include a café, public restrooms, and gift stalls.

Notable Views and Landscape

The lighthouse offers panoramic views across the Strait to Jebel Musa (Morocco) and the African coastline. Nearby landmarks include the Shrine of Our Lady of Europe, Harding's Battery (100-ton gun), Ibrahim-al-Ibrahim Mosque, and Moorish Castle above a rocky promontory with low-lying fortifications and defensive walls.

Anecdotes and Folklore

During World War II, the area was heavily fortified, and the lighthouse survived nearby bombing without serious damage. Local legend speaks of a "guardian ghost" of a former keeper who appears on stormy nights. Early keepers maintained their own vegetable plots on-site (oral tradition).

Technical and Operational Details

The managing authority is Trinity House (Port of Gibraltar) in conjunction with the Gibraltar Port Authority. The lighthouse has standard light beacon only; no AIS or radar installation publicly recorded. Nautical chart references include UKHO Chart 1875 (Gibraltar approaches) and NGA Chart 4252.

Further Information

Further reading includes Wikipedia, NGA List of Lights – Pub. 113 (2011), UK Hydrographic Office Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals, and Gibraltar Heritage Trust publications.