The tallest masonry lighthouse in the Canary Islands

Located at the southern end of the Spanish island of Gran Canaria, the Maspalomas Lighthouse stands as a distinctive landmark at one end of Maspalomas beach. Situated next to the Maspalomas Dunes, this active lighthouse is the tallest masonry lighthouse in the Canary Islands, reaching a height of 56 meters.

The lighthouse was conceived by the engineer Juan León y Castillo as a luminous complex consisting of two main bodies: a tower and a house. The house was developed from the traditional Canarian patio idea, while the four facades reflect the eclectic fashion of the period in which it was built. The dwelling, attached to the base of the tower, acts as a plinth to counteract the thrusts of the structure.

Construction on the lighthouse began after a decision made in 1861, with Juan de León y Castillo being commissioned to draw up the project in 1884. The works lasted until 1889, and the lighthouse emitted its first flash of light on February 1, 1890. The tower is a blue-grey truncated cone cylinder with a classic shaft design whose section decreases as it approaches its capital.

At its summit, a glass dome lantern houses a 1000-watt halogen lamp. Its light can be seen for 19 nautical miles, emitting three white flashes every thirteen seconds. Today, the lighthouse is a protected Asset of General Interest and remains one of the oldest lighthouses still in operation in the Canary Islands.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons