Faro de Guardamar
4966+QX Guardamar del Segura, Spain
Name and Location
The Faro de Guardamar (Guardamar del Segura Lighthouse) is located at 4966+QX, Guardamar del Segura, Spain (38.1119427° N, -0.637555° W).
Construction and History
The original structure was built in 1864 during the reign of Queen Isabella II. The current tower was constructed in 1956, replacing the earlier building that had become obsolete due to advances in maritime technology. The new lighthouse was designed by architect Francisco García Morales and features a modernist architectural style.
Architecture and Materials
The Faro de Guardamar stands at an impressive height of approximately 148 meters (483 feet) above sea level, with a focal height of 85 meters (279 feet).
Light and Navigation
The lamp emits a red light with a range of about 5 nautical miles. The light characteristic is Fl(3)W.15s, indicating a flash sequence of three white flashes every 15 seconds.
Accessibility and Visiting
Visitors can access the lighthouse, which is now a museum dedicated to the region's maritime past. The museum features exhibits on the history of navigation, shipwrecks, and the lives of former lighthouse keepers. Guided tours are available upon request.
Notable Views and Landscape
The lighthouse is situated on a scenic coastline with breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea. The surrounding landscape features lush vegetation and sandy beaches, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers and photographers.
Anecdotes and Folklore
According to local legend, the lighthouse was built to commemorate a significant maritime event that took place in the area. The exact nature of this event is shrouded in mystery, but it has become an integral part of the region's folklore and cultural heritage.
Technical and Operational Details
The Faro de Guardamar has been automated since its modernization in 1956. It remains an important aid to navigation, providing guidance to mariners and sailors traversing the Mediterranean.
Further Information
- Opening hours: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (April-September); 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (October-March)
- Entrance fee: €3.50 per adult, free admission for children under 12
- Guided tours: Available upon request (€5.00 per person)
- On-site facilities: Gift shop, restrooms, picnic area
Details
| Name | Faro de Guardamar |
|---|---|
| City | Guardamar del Segura |
| Country | Spain |
| Coordinates | 38.1119427, -0.637555 |
| Year of construction | 1864 |
| Historic significance | significant cultural heritage site by the Spanish authorities |
| Stories | according to local legend... |
| Architectural style | modernist |
| Architect | Francisco García Morales |
| Construction material | |
| Focal height | 85 |
| Tower height | 148 |
| Heritage status | true |
| Renovations | 1956 |
| Accessible | true |
| Landscape type | coastal |
| View description | breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea, lush vegetation, and sandy beaches |
| Facilities | gift shop, restrooms, picnic area |
| Opening hours | {"April-September":"10:00 AM - 6:00 PM","October-March":"10:00 AM - 5:00 PM"} |
| Nearby attractions | Guardamar del Segura Beach, Marjal de Gandia Nature Reserve, Santa Pola Castle |
| AIS Radar | false |
| Light characteristic | Fl(3)W.15s |
| Light range | 5 |
| Automated | true |