Durban Bluff Lighthouse
Location & Light Range
About Durban Bluff Lighthouse
Also known as: Durban Bluff (Port Natal)
The Durban Bluff lighthouse was first lit in 1867 as a cast iron tower standing 24.5 meters tall. Located at the end of the bluff on the south side of the harbor entrance in Durban, South Africa, it guided ships into the port. The tower was encased in concrete in 1932. Its active service ended in 1940, and the following year it was truncated. This reduction in height was due to its interference with coastal defense artillery during wartime. Today, only a portion of the original structure remains visible.
Why it matters: The lighthouse's structural evolution, from its initial cast iron form to its concrete encasement and subsequent truncation due to military needs, illustrates adaptation to changing historical circumstances.
Tower & Structure
- Tower Height
- 24.5m
- Material
- cast iron
Structure: cast iron tower with lantern and gallery
Location
- City
- Durban
- Country
- 🇿🇦South Africa
- Region
- KwaZulu-Natal
- Sea Region
- Located at the end of the bluff on the south side of the harbor entrance
- Latitude
- -29.8736°
- Longitude
- 31.0598°
References & Identifiers
- Nearest Port
- Durban(0.6 km)
- ARLHS No.
- SAF-070
Construction & History
- Year Built
- 1867
Significant events: Inactive since 1940, encased in concrete in 1932, truncated in 1941
Visiting
- Open to public
- Site open, tower closed
Nearby Vessels
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