Name and Location

The Far de la Banya lighthouse is a small, active navigation light located at the outer end of the eastern breakwater (Moll de Llevant) of the Port of Tarragona, on the north-western shore of the Mediterranean in Catalonia, Spain. Its name "Banya" means "horn" in Catalan, referring to the curving shape of the breakwater it crowns.

Location

• Address: Heliport. Prolongació del Moll de Llevant, Tarragona, Spain
• Municipality: Tarragona (Província de Tarragona), Catalonia, Spain
• Coordinates: 41 °05′15.17″ N, 1 °13′33.16″ E (decimal: 41.0875475, 1.2258791)
• Map link: https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=41.0875475&mlon=1.2258791#map=18/41.08755/1.22588
• Admiralty/TN-LC chart: Mediterranean Sea – west coast of Spain (specific chart numbers published by the Spanish Hydrographic Institute)

Construction and History

The Far de la Banya lighthouse was constructed in the mid-20th century, with no recorded exact date of construction. Its official name is "Far de la Banya", with no widely recognized nickname beyond its literal name.

Architecture and Materials

The structure is a low cylindrical concrete tower mounted on a square base, painted white with a green lantern.

Light and Navigation

The lighthouse features a short-range light characteristic, guiding inbound and outbound traffic into the harbour's main approach channel. The range is typically under 5 nautical miles.

Accessibility and Visiting

Visitors can access the breakwater on foot outside port-restricted hours, but should observe all port safety notices. There are no public facilities at the lighthouse itself. To reach the light, follow signs for Port de Tarragona, then walk along the Moll de Llevant pier toward the heliport area.

Notable Views and Landscape

The breakwater offers panoramic views across Tarragona Bay, the Costa Daurada shoreline, and to the southwest, the Roman Amphitheatre and old town skyline. Nearby attractions include the Roman Tarraco Archaeological Ensemble (UNESCO World Heritage site), Balcó del Mediterrani, Tarragona Cathedral, and Museu Nacional Arqueològic de Tarragona.

Anecdotes and Folklore

The name "Banya" reflects local maritime tradition of naming harbour structures after natural shapes. There are no widely recorded legends or anecdotes about the lighthouse.

Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse is fully automated, unmanned, and electrically powered. Its automation status ensures continuous operation without human intervention.

Further Information