Villaricos Lighthouse
Location & Light Range
About Villaricos Lighthouse
Constructed in 1863, the Villaricos Lighthouse offered guidance along the Almería coast in southeastern Spain. It served the historically significant village of Villaricos, indicating the Mediterranean approaches important for local fishing activities and the region's mineral exports. The structure provided navigational support, assisting vessels in avoiding dangers and confirming their location. Its operation ended by 1880, at which point it was succeeded by the Garrucha lighthouse, a modification possibly due to changes in maritime traffic or the requirement for a more capable coastal light. The initial building is no longer extant.
Why it matters: This lighthouse represents a historical navigational marker on the Almería coast, influencing the positioning of subsequent lights such as the Garrucha lighthouse and illustrating developments in maritime infrastructure.
Tower & Structure
Structure: The Villaricos Lighthouse, once a guiding light along the Almería coast in southeastern Spain, marked the maritime approaches to the small, historically significant village of Villaricos. Established in 1863, it served for a relatively short period, aiding mariners navigating these Mediterranean waters, which were vital for local fishing and the region's mining exports. Its presence would have offered crucial navigational assistance, helping vessels avoid coastal hazards and pinpoint their position along this stretch of the Spanish shoreline. By 1880, the lighthouse was decommissioned, its role superseded by the construction of the Garrucha lighthouse, a strategic decision likely reflecting evolving shipping patterns or the need for a more effective coastal light. Today, the original structure no longer stands, leaving no physical trace for visitors. However, its history is meticulously documented in scholarly works, including a detailed 13-page article by Francisco García Marín, which preserves the story of this early Almerían navigational aid.
Location
- City
- Málaga
- Country
- 🇪🇸Spain
- Region
- Andalusia
- Sea Region
- Villaricos, Almería coast
- Latitude
- 36.7053°
- Longitude
- -4.4333°
Nearby Vessels
Construction & History
- Year Built
- 1863
Significant events: Replaced by the Garrucha lighthouse
References & Identifiers
- Nearest Port
- Malaga(1.0 km)
- ARLHS No.
- SPA-342
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