Name and Location

Faro Isla de Flores is an active coastal lighthouse located on Isla de Flores, a small rocky islet in the Río de la Plata estuary, approximately 3 km off the coast of Montevideo, Uruguay.

2. Construction and History

The Faro Isla de Flores was first lit in 1828 and has been guiding shipping bound for Montevideo ever since. It serves as an important historic landmark in Uruguayan maritime heritage, with a rich history spanning nearly two centuries.

3. Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse features a cylindrical tower with a balcony and lantern, constructed from local masonry (stone and brick) rendered in white paint. The tower stands at 22 meters high, with a focal height of approximately 58 meters above mean sea level.

4. Light and Navigation

The light characteristic is a white flash every 10 seconds (Fl W 10 s), with a nominal range of 18 nautical miles. The lighthouse has been fully automated since the 1970s, powered by mains electricity with a diesel generator backup.

5. Accessibility and Visiting

Unfortunately, the islet and lighthouse are not open to general visitors, as landing is restricted and no docking facilities exist. However, sightseeing boats from Montevideo occasionally cruise past Isla de Flores, offering a glimpse of this historic beacon.

6. Notable Views and Landscape

The panoramic outlook from the islet offers breathtaking views over the estuary, the Montevideo skyline, and, on clear days, ships waiting at anchorage. The landscape is predominantly rocky, with sparse grasses and lichens, and seabirds such as terns and cormorants nest on ledges.

7. Anecdotes and Folklore

Local fishermen recall a time in the 19th century when sudden fog enshrouded the estuary, and the beacon's beam was the only guide to safe passage – "Lights in the Fog." Although records exist of lighthouse keepers resident on Isla de Flores until automation, few personal journals have survived.

8. Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse is managed by the Dirección Nacional de Hidrografía, Armada de Uruguay, and is listed within Uruguay's national maritime heritage inventory (Bien de Interés Histórico). It has undergone restoration work in 2002 and 2015 to preserve its historic integrity.

9. Further Information

Further reading and references can be found at the following: Wikilink (Spanish), Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons category, Uruguayan Navy's "Lista Oficial de Faros," and International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) regional Aids to Navigation publications.