Name and Location

The Far de Palamós, also known locally as the Far de la Bocana ("the Breakwater Light"), is an active beacon located at Carrer Ametlla de Mar, 39, 17230 Palamós, Girona, Catalunya, Spain. The lighthouse marks the entrance to the port of Palamós on the Costa Brava (Girona), Spain.

2. Construction and History

The current lighthouse structure dates back to the late 19th century, with the exact year of construction not documented in publicly available sources. The port of Palamós has been a fishing and trading harbor since medieval times. Automated operation was introduced in the mid-20th century, and the last resident keepers left in the 1970s.

3. Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse is a masonry tower rising from the tip of the south-side breakwater (espigón sur). The structure features a short cylindrical tower with a gallery and lantern, painted white with a dark green lantern housing. The materials used are local granite and rendered concrete, giving it a functional harbour light design.

4. Light and Navigation

The lighthouse emits a characteristic Fl(2) W 6s (two white flashes every six seconds) with a nominal range of approximately 8 nautical miles. It is powered by a solar-assisted LED lantern with battery backup and is fully automated, monitored remotely by the Port Authority control centre.

5. Accessibility and Visiting

Visitors can access the breakwater, which is open to pedestrians year-round. While visitors can walk out to the lighthouse's base, the interior and lantern gallery are closed to the public. The nearby port area has facilities such as a café and restrooms.

6. Notable Views and Landscape

The views from the lighthouse include the town of Palamós, its fishing fleet, and the sandy Platja Gran beach. To the south and east lies the open Costa Brava coast, often with dolphins sighted offshore. In the evening, visitors can enjoy a beautiful sunset and coastal-mountain panorama toward the hills of La Gavarresa.

7. Anecdotes and Folklore

Local fishermen's lore tells the story of a Spanish brig that ran aground on the south-pier just before the installation of the current light in the late 1800s. Former keepers' logbooks (now lost) reportedly recorded a "mystery vessel" calling in 1913, possibly a smuggler's lugger.

8. Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse has a tower height of approximately 10 m above the base of the breakwater (subject to on-site survey). The focal plane is around 14 m above mean sea level. There is no dedicated radar; instead, an AIS base-station on nearby headland covers harbour traffic.

9. Further Information

For further information, consult the Fundación de los Faros Españoles online catalog, Autoritat Portuària de les Badies de Palamós, Roses i Vilanova i la Geltrú – official website, Spanish Wikipedia (https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faro_de_Palamós), and Nautical Publications of the Instituto Hidrográfico de la Marina – Admiralty List of Lights Volume VIII (Mediterranean).