Málaga's Lighthouse Camouflaged During the Civil War

La Farola is a lighthouse located in the city of Málaga in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Designed by engineer Joaquín María Pery y Guzmán, its construction began in 1813 and was completed in 1817. At that time, it was situated at the entrance of the Port of Málaga. Today, it remains a symbol of the city and gives its name to the nearby seaside promenade.

Before the current stone structure, a wooden lantern designed by French engineer Bartolomé Thurus in 1717 served the coast for an entire century. Between 1853 and 1858, a one-story module was added to the base of the lighthouse to provide housing for the lighthouse keeper. Following the 1884 earthquake in Andalusia, which damaged the lighting mechanisms, repairs were carried out in 1885.

Major renovations took place between 1913 and 1915, during which the keeper's housing was expanded and the base was reformed to its current facade. During these works, the optical mechanisms were refurbished by the company Julius Pintsch AG, resulting in the characteristic 31 flashes that the lighthouse still produces today. In 1916, a mercury float base manufactured in Madrid was installed.

In August 1936, the lighthouse was turned off by order of the Navy Command. The Central Committee of the Republican Fleet ordered it to be painted in earth tones with light and dark spots to camouflage its silhouette from naval artillery and aviation. Although it suffered serious damage during the conflict, it was reconstructed in 1939. In 2023, the lighthouse was officially declared a Bien de Interés Cultural as a monument.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons