Punta Orchilla Lighthouse
The Punta Orchilla Lighthouse (Spanish: Faro de Punta Orchilla) is an active lighthouse on the Canary island of El Hierro in the municipality of El Pinar. The need for a lighthouse on the island was highlighted in the second maritime lighting plan for the Canaries, and it first became operational in 1933.
 | |
| Location | El Pinar El Hierro Canary Islands Spain |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 27.706665°N 18.147496°W |
| Tower | |
| Constructed | 1933 |
| Construction | stone tower |
| Height | 25 metres (82 ft) |
| Shape | octagonal tower with double balcony and lantern |
| Markings | unpainted tower, grey lantern |
| Power source | solar power  |
| Operator | Autoridad Portuaria de Santa Cruz de Tenerife |
| Heritage | bien de interés cultural |
| Light | |
| Focal height | 132 metres (433 ft) |
| Range | 24 nautical miles (44 km; 28 mi) |
| Characteristic | L 0 3 oc 4 7 |
| Spain no. | ES-13060 |
Punta de la Orchilla
Punta de la Orchilla on the south-western side of El Hierro, is a significant location in terms of the Canaries, as it is one of the most westerly points in the archipelago. A meridian memorial close to the lighthouse, is a reminder that historically it was considered to be a prime meridian for early map makers, and was known as the Ferro Meridian, at the western extremity of the known world.[1]
The name comes from the Orchil lichen that grows on the rocky lava slopes in the area, inland from the point is a 238 m peak called Orchilla.[2]
The isolated locality of the Punta de la Orchilla means that it has been described as "probably Spain's most remote lighthouse", reaching the site requires a 25 km trip from Sabinosa via a road that is only partly metalled, the end of the road being both unmade, and uneven. Although the site is accessible, the tower and buildings are closed.[1]
History
The lighthouse first entered service in 1933, and was built in a similar style to other earlier Canarian lights, and consists of a whitewashed single storey house, with dark volcanic rock used for the masonry detailing. A plain masonry tower with a substantial base rises from the side of the house facing the Atlantic Ocean. The 25 m high octagonal tower supports twin galleries and a lantern dome, which contains a first order Fresnel lens.[1] With a focal height of 132 m above sea level, its light can be seen for 24 nautical miles.[1][3]
In 2008, Punta Orchilla in conjunction with five other lighthouses was depicted in a set of six commemorative stamps by the Spanish postal service Correos.[4]
References
- Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Spain: Canary Islands". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
- El Hierro (Map). OpenStreetMap. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
- List of Lights, Pub. 113: The West Coasts of Europe and Africa, the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and Azovskoye More (Sea of Azov) (PDF). List of Lights. United States National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. 2013. p. 415.
- "Faros 2008". Stamp Issues. Correos. Archived from the original on 19 October 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
External links
Media related to Lighthouses in El Hierro at Wikimedia Commons- Comisión de faros
- Autoridad Portuaria de Santa Cruz de Tenerife Archived 4 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine
