La Farola, Málaga, Lighthouse at Port of Málaga, Spain
La Farola is a 37-meter-tall tower of white stone standing at the harbor entrance of Málaga. The structure serves as a navigation aid for vessels entering the port and has a distinctive cylindrical form.
The lighthouse was built in 1817 and replaced a wooden lantern that previously marked the harbor. It was constructed using stones from Gibralfaro hill and has marked the port entrance for two centuries.
The lighthouse carries a distinctive name in Spain: La Farola uses the feminine form, while all other lighthouses in the country are called El Faro in the masculine. This linguistic choice reflects how deeply this structure matters to local identity.
The tower is visible from the port and can be viewed from the waterfront promenade. Visitors should note that the light is particularly striking at night and the best views are found from various points along the harbor front.
During the Spanish Civil War in 1936, the Republican Army ordered the light to be turned off and the structure painted in earth tones. This change was an attempt to conceal the tower from enemy aircraft.
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