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Faro de Alborán

Alboran Island heliport, Isla de Alborán, Almería, Spain

Name and Location

The Faro de Alborán is a lighthouse located on the remote Alboran Island in the Mediterranean Sea, approximately 50 kilometers off the coast of Spain.

Construction and History

The Faro de Alborán was built during the Spanish colonial era, with construction believed to have taken place between 1824 and 1830. The exact date is unknown.

Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse stands at an impressive 40 meters (131 feet) above sea level, with a focal height of approximately 25 meters (82 feet). It was constructed using stone and brick, with a characteristic pyramidal shape.

Light and Navigation

The Faro de Alborán features a white light with a period of 20 seconds and a range of approximately 10 nautical miles (18 kilometers). The light characteristic is Fl (3) W.15s, indicating a flashing light every three seconds for 15 seconds.

Accessibility and Visiting

Unfortunately, the Alboran Island heliport is not open to the general public. Due to its remote location and limited access, it is only accessible by helicopter or boat with permission from the Spanish authorities. No guided tours or on-site facilities are available.

Notable Views and Landscape

The surrounding landscape of Alboran Island is characterized by rocky shores, sandy beaches, and rolling hills covered with scrubby vegetation.

Technical and Operational Details

Although the lighthouse was once operated by human keepers, it has been automated since 1985. The Spanish Ministry of Public Works and Transport is responsible for maintaining the lighthouse's operation and ensuring its continued functionality as a vital aid to navigation.

Further Information

For further reading on the Faro de Alborán and its importance in maritime history, see the Wikipedia page "Faro de la isla de Alborán" (es) or refer to the Spanish Ministry of Public Works and Transport: Faro de Alborán.

Details

NameFaro de Alborán
City
CountrySpain
Coordinates35.9381913, -3.0357047
Historic significanceA beacon of navigation on the Mediterranean
Architectural stylepyramidal shape
Construction material"stone and brick"
Focal height25
Tower height40
Heritage statustrue
Access descriptionOnly accessible by helicopter or boat with permission from the Spanish authorities.
Accessiblefalse
Landscape typerocky coast
View descriptionRocky shores, sandy beaches, and rolling hills covered with scrubby vegetation.
Guided toursfalse
Light characteristic"Fl (3) W.15s"
Light range10
Automatedtrue