Name and Location

The Puerto de la Duquesa Lighthouse, also known as Faro de la Duquesa, is located in Puerto de la Duquesa, on the Costa del Sol in Andalusia, southern Spain. Its official name is Faro de la Duquesa, and it is managed by the Port Authority of Málaga.

2. Construction and History

The exact date of construction for the lighthouse is not publicly available, but it was likely built in the late 20th century. The modern marina was developed on the site of a former fishing cove in the 1980s, and the lighthouse was installed soon afterwards to guide pleasure craft.

3. Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse has a cylindrical tower with a small gallery and light lantern, made of reinforced-concrete materials painted white. It stands approximately 8 meters above its base and has a focal plane around 10 meters above sea level. The structure is plain in appearance, with minimal ornamentation, typical of modern harbour lights.

4. Light and Navigation

The lighthouse's light characteristic is speculative, but it is likely a single white flash every 5-10 seconds. Its range is approximately 4-6 nautical miles, typical for small harbour lights. The light is fully automated, with no on-site keeper's accommodation.

5. Accessibility and Visiting

Visitors can freely view the lighthouse from the public breakwater and promenade. However, the tower itself is not open to the public and offers no interior access. Visitors can reach the site by car, parking in the marina's public car parks and walking along the seafront promenade, or by foot/bicycle via a coastal pedestrian path.

6. Notable Views and Landscape

The lighthouse sits at the mouth of a sheltered cove with fine golden sands and low dunes to the east. It is backed by white-washed marina buildings and the 18th-century Castillo de la Duquesa, which stands just inland. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views over the Mediterranean, including vistas towards Gibraltar on clear days.

7. Anecdotes and Folklore

There are no major shipwrecks or historic events directly associated with this light, given its recent origin. Former keeper stories are also absent, as the light has been automated since commissioning.

8. Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse's Admiralty number/Nautical Chart Reference is not listed in major international lists. It likely uses a fixed AIS beacon or radar reflector for navigation, but this information is unconfirmed. The light serves as a day-mark and navigational aid for pleasure craft and small commercial vessels entering the sheltered waters of the Duquesa Marina.

9. Further Information

For further information on the lighthouse's technical details, visit the Autoridad Portuaria de Málaga's official website or consult Spanish charts such as the "Lista de Faros de la Costa del Sol". Visitors can also learn more about Manilva and its surrounding attractions through the local tourist office (www.manilva.es).