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.

Punta Orchilla Lighthouse
Canary Islands
LocationEl Pinar
El Hierro
Canary Islands
Spain
Coordinates27.706665°N 18.147496°W / 27.706665; -18.147496
Year first constructed1933
Constructionstone tower
Tower shapeoctagonal tower with double balcony and lantern
Markings / patternunpainted tower, grey lantern
Tower height25 metres (82 ft)
Focal height132 metres (433 ft)
Light sourcesolar power
Range24 nautical miles (44 km; 28 mi)
CharacteristicL 0 3 oc 4 7 
Admiralty numberD2836
NGA number23808
ARLHS numberCAI-066
Spain numberES-13060
Managing agentAutoridad Portuaria de Santa Cruz de Tenerife
HeritageBien de Interés Cultural 

Punta de la Orchilla
Punta Orchilla with the lighthouse in the distance

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]

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See also

References
  1. Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Spain: Canary Islands". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  2. OpenStreetMap contributors. El Hierro (Map). OpenStreetMap. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
  3. 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.
  4. "Faros 2008". Stamp Issues. Correos. Archived from the original on 19 October 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
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