Name and Location

The Castelo de Santo Antón Lighthouse is located in the heart of A Coruña, Spain.

Construction and History

The lighthouse was constructed in 1855 as part of a series of lighthouses built along the Galician coast to improve maritime safety. The original structure stood at a height of 17 meters (56 feet) and was designed by architect Antonio Fernández. Over the years, the lighthouse has undergone several renovations and expansions, including the addition of a second story in 1885.

Architecture and Materials

The Castelo de Santo Antón Lighthouse is an example of mid-19th-century architecture, blending elements of neoclassicism and romanticism. The structure's design was influenced by the Gothic Revival style popular at the time. The lighthouse's façade features a symmetrical arrangement of arches, columns, and ornate decorations.

Light and Navigation

The original light source was a fixed green lens, which was later replaced with an electric lamp in 1925. The current lighting system is automated, emitting a characteristic Fl(3)W.15s pattern every 7 seconds. The lighthouse's focal height is approximately 17 meters (56 feet), with a range of 5 nautical miles.

Accessibility and Visiting

Visitors can access the lighthouse via a staircase leading from the adjacent Paseo Marítimo Alcalde Francisco Vázquez. The site is open to the public and offers stunning views of the city and the sea.

Notable Views and Landscape

Anecdotes and Folklore

Technical and Operational Details

The Castelo de Santo Antón Lighthouse has been fully automated since the 1980s, eliminating the need for manual operation by keepers. Although no longer staffed, the lighthouse remains an important aid to navigation for mariners.

Further Information

Source: US NGA Pub. 113.