Historical lighthouses across the globe

This 56 feet (17 meters) tall lighthouse was built in 1894 on a rocky headland along the Oregon coast and projects its light up to 21 miles (34 kilometers) across the Pacific Ocean. The Heceta Head lighthouse continues to serve as a navigational aid for maritime traffic along the rugged Pacific coastline. The white tower structure with its red cap and the accompanying Victorian-era keeper's house stand on a cliff approximately 200 feet (62 meters) above sea level. The first-order Fresnel lens system installed in 1893 remains operational and makes it one of the brightest beacons along the Oregon coast, contributing to maritime navigation and regional coastal heritage.

The Torre de Hércules is a Roman lighthouse from the second century that rises 180 feet (55 meters) above the Galician coast. This ancient maritime aid is recognized as the oldest functioning lighthouse in the world. The Roman core structure was wrapped with a neoclassical exterior in the 18th century, while the original tower form remained intact. The lighthouse continues to serve maritime navigation along the Atlantic coast and demonstrates Roman engineering as well as continuous operation spanning nearly two millennia.

This 72-foot (22-meter) lighthouse was built in 1817 following a shipwreck and marks the entrance to Lough Swilly. The structure serves as a navigation point for maritime traffic along the Irish coast and documents the regional maritime history. The lighthouse stands at Fanad Head and belongs to the navigational aids that guide shipping along the Atlantic coast.

The Lindesnes Lighthouse marks the southernmost point of Norway and has served as a navigational aid for vessels for centuries. The first tower was built here in 1656 and was among the oldest lighthouses in Scandinavia. The current structure dates from 1915 and replaced the earlier facility. The station monitors maritime traffic at this exposed coastal location, where currents from the North Sea and Skagerrak meet. The site includes the tower along with auxiliary buildings and a museum dedicated to the region's maritime history.

This red and white lighthouse stands on limestone cliffs along the Dorset coast and has warned passing vessels of the dangerous waters at Portland Bill since 1879. The tower reaches a height of 135 feet (41 meters) and projects its light across a range of 25 nautical miles (46 kilometers). The facility marks a significant maritime hazard where strong tidal currents meet rocky cliffs. The structure continues to serve as an active navigational aid for ships crossing the English Channel and represents the maritime tradition of the English south coast.

This lighthouse made of brick and iron was built in 1892 at the highest point of Ilocos Norte and marks the northwestern tip of the Philippines. The structure serves maritime navigation along the coast and forms an important part of the regional seafaring infrastructure. The tower stands at a strategic position for orienting ship traffic in this maritime region.

Cape Otway Lightstation was built in 1848 and sits at the southernmost point of mainland Australia. The station serves as a navigational aid for vessels passing through Bass Strait, one of the major waterways between the mainland and Tasmania. The tower reaches 66 feet (20 meters) in height and is constructed from limestone quarried from nearby sources. The lightstation complex includes the main tower along with residential buildings for operating personnel and technical facilities for maintaining the navigation equipment. This station represents an important component of Victoria's 19th-century maritime infrastructure.

This red lighthouse built in 1921 stands beneath the George Washington Bridge and marks a dangerous location on the Hudson River. The structure serves as a navigational aid for maritime traffic in this busy section of the river and represents the maritime heritage of the New York region. The Jeffreys Hook Lighthouse is characterized by its position under the bridge and its compact red construction.

This red and white lighthouse stands on granite rocks and has guided ships through the bay since 1915. The structure ranks among the most photographed lighthouses in North America and serves as a navigational aid along the rugged Atlantic coast. The early 20th-century construction demonstrates the functional architecture of Canadian coastal buildings and documents the maritime history of the region.

This black and white striped lighthouse on the Atlantic coast rises 210 feet (64 meters) above sea level and has warned ships about Diamond Shoals, a dangerous sandbar offshore, since 1870. The structure uses a spiral stripe pattern for daytime identification. The tower was moved approximately 2,900 feet (880 meters) inland in 1999 to protect it from coastal erosion. Its first-order Fresnel lens produces a light signal visible across great distances at sea. The facility documents maritime history and the technical challenges of coastal navigation in this region.

The Slangkop Lighthouse is a white metal tower built in 1919 that projects its light signal across a distance of 33 nautical miles (38 miles, or 61 kilometers) into the Atlantic Ocean. This maritime navigation structure serves as a reference point for shipping traffic along the South African coast. The lighthouse belongs to the regional maritime heritage and fulfills its technical function as a navigational aid for seafaring vessels. The metal construction was installed at this coastal section in the early 20th century to ensure the safe passage of ships.

The Hirtshals Lighthouse was built in 1863 and features a square tower that guides vessels through the Skagerrak at the northern tip of Jutland. The structure has served maritime navigation for over 150 years in this heavily trafficked strait between Denmark and Norway. This lighthouse represents 19th-century technical solutions for shipping safety in northern European waters.

This lighthouse was built in 1857 in the historic center and stands at an elevation that provides a wide view over the Rio de la Plata. The structure serves as a functional navigational aid for vessels traveling along the Uruguayan coast. The tower is part of the region's maritime heritage and documents the development of maritime technology in the 19th century. Its location in the historic core of the city connects maritime functions with urban elements from the colonial period.

This 112 foot (34 meter) tower was built in 1858 and marks the entrance to the Saint Lawrence River on the Gaspésie coast. The structure has served as a reference point for vessels entering one of North America's major waterways for over 160 years. The beacon stands at a strategic position where the gulf meets the river. The technical installation continues to function and supports modern maritime traffic in this section.

The lighthouse at Cabo de São Vicente was built in 1846 and marks the southwesternmost point of mainland Europe. The tower stands on a cliff 246 feet (75 meters) above the Atlantic Ocean and projects its light signal across a distance of 37 miles (60 kilometers). Its strategic position at the intersection of major sea routes between the Mediterranean and Atlantic makes it an important navigation point for maritime traffic. The structure documents the development of Portuguese lighthouse architecture in the 19th century and continues to serve shipping safety along the Algarve coast.

This lighthouse was built in 1867 at the western tip of the island and serves to guide vessels through the Tyrrhenian Sea. The Phare de Punta Carena stands on the cliffs of Anacapri and projects its light signal across a considerable distance to mark maritime routes along the southern Italian coast. The construction follows the technical standards of the 19th century and integrates into the rocky coastal landscape of Capri. As part of the historic lighthouse chain in the Tyrrhenian Sea, this facility contributes to regional maritime heritage.

This white stone tower on a small island in the Bosporus served as a lighthouse for maritime navigation from the 18th century. The structure stands at a strategic point of the strait between Europe and Asia and fulfilled an important navigation function for vessels traveling between the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara. The tower sits on a rock foundation and displays characteristic Ottoman architectural elements. The structure contributes to Istanbul's maritime history and represents the development of navigation technology in this region.

This lighthouse from the 13th century stands at the tip of the Hook Peninsula and guides vessels into Waterford Harbor. The tower ranks among the oldest working lighthouses worldwide and was originally operated by monks who lit fires at the tower summit. The structure consists of limestone and reaches a height of 115 feet (35 meters). The lighthouse has served maritime navigation along the Irish southeast coast for several centuries.

This lighthouse on the Choshi Peninsula was built in 1874 and marks the easternmost point of the Kanto region. The white tower structure serves as a navigational aid for vessels along the Pacific coast and documents the development of maritime infrastructure during the Meiji era. The structure stands on a rocky promontory above the sea and forms an integral part of the regional navigation system. The site provides insight into the technical implementation of Japanese lighthouse projects from the late 19th century.

This sandstone tower built in 1796 marks the eastern end of Long Island and guides maritime traffic through Block Island Sound. The Montauk Point Lighthouse stands at a location that has been significant for navigation along the Atlantic coast for centuries. The construction uses local sandstone and displays typical features of late 18th-century design with a conical shape and thick exterior walls. The structure continues to serve as an active navigational aid for vessels in this coastal section of New York.

This lighthouse was built in 1918 on a peninsula and serves as a navigation point for maritime traffic along the Icelandic coast. The structure houses a museum documenting the maritime history of the Akranes region and the development of seafaring as well as the technical evolution of lighthouses. The building combines its original function as a navigational aid with the preservation of Iceland's maritime heritage. The position on the peninsula allowed effective signaling for vessels navigating the waters off the western coast.

Eilean Glas Lighthouse was built in 1789 and marks the eastern entrance to the Sound of Harris. This maritime structure belongs to a collection of historical beacons that serve as navigation points for maritime traffic and reflect regional seafaring heritage. The tower displays a white light with a red band and has provided guidance for vessels in Scottish waters for over two centuries. As part of the Hebridean navigation infrastructure, this lighthouse contributes to maritime safety in this coastal region.

This lighthouse was built in 1836 and marks the shipping route of the English Channel with two white flashes every 5 seconds. The tower stands on the rocky coast of Devon and provides guidance for vessels navigating through these heavily trafficked waters. The construction consists of solid masonry and reaches a height that makes the beacon visible over long distances. The characteristic light signal allows mariners to determine their position precisely and plan safe passages through the coastal waters.

The Kõpu Lighthouse was built in 1531 and ranks among the oldest continuously operating lighthouses worldwide. This tower has guided vessels through the Gulf of Finland for nearly five centuries, marking the dangerous waters around Hiiumaa Island. The massive stone structure reaches a height of 118 feet (36 meters) and continues to serve as an active navigational aid for maritime traffic in the region.

The Mouro Islet Lighthouse stands on a small rocky island off the Cantabrian coast and marks the entrance to Santander harbor. The gray stone tower has served as a navigation aid for vessels in the Bay of Santander since 1860. The structure reaches a height of 47 feet (14.4 meters) and combines a cylindrical tower with adjacent buildings for operational equipment. The islet sits approximately 2,600 feet (800 meters) from La Magdalena peninsula. This lighthouse represents 19th-century maritime infrastructure along the northern Spanish coast.

This red and white stone tower from 1848 marks the southernmost point of Africa where the Indian Ocean and Atlantic Ocean meet. The structure has served as a navigation aid for maritime traffic along the coast for over 170 years, a coastline known for its dangerous currents and shallow waters. The construction reaches 89 feet (27 meters) in height and now houses a museum dedicated to the region's maritime history. The lighthouse stands as a technical example of maritime infrastructure development in southern Africa.

The Barrenjoey Lighthouse was constructed in 1881 from sandstone and stands on a headland at the entrance to Broken Bay. The 89 foot (27 meter) tall structure marks the entrance to the Hawkesbury River and serves as a navigation aid for vessels in this section of the New South Wales coast. The tower features a third order lens and was originally fitted with a kerosene lamp. The beacon guides ships through the waters between the Pacific Ocean and the river system.

This granite tower from 1874 stands on a rocky peninsula at the southwestern tip of Jersey and marks dangerous reefs. The lighthouse was built following several shipwrecks in the area and has since served as a navigational aid for vessels passing through the waters around the Channel Island. The white granite construction sits on a rocky outcrop that becomes cut off from the mainland at high tide. The tower represents the island's maritime history and remains a functioning element of shipping safety in the English Channel.

The Granite Island Lighthouse was built in 1868 on a granite island in Lake Superior and has served to navigate commercial vessels through the channel. The structure's construction incorporates the natural granite material of the island that gave the maritime installation its name. The tower reaches a height of approximately 40 feet (12 meters) and marks an important shipping route in Michigan's northern waters. The lighthouse station remained operational until the 20th century and today documents 19th-century maritime navigation techniques in the Great Lakes region.

This lighthouse was built in 1860 and marks the entrance to Esquimalt Harbor at the southern tip of Vancouver Island. The Phare de Fisgard served as an active navigation signal for ships entering this strategically important bay for more than 120 years. The original structure consists of a tower and an adjoining residence, both constructed from red brick. Today, the facility houses a maritime history museum that features exhibits on the development of navigation and the significance of Esquimalt as a naval base.