Faro de Cabo Mayor, Maritime lighthouse on coastal cliffs, Santander, Spain
Faro de Cabo Mayor is a stone lighthouse standing on coastal cliffs in Santander, marking the bay entrance with its white tower and lantern room. The structure rises roughly 30 meters above the rocks and combines its navigation function with exhibition spaces displaying artwork and maritime objects.
Designed by Felipe Bauzá, this lighthouse began operating on August 15, 1839, to guide ships entering the Bay of Santander at night. In 2001, the facility became fully automated, which allowed portions of the building to transform into an art center while keeping the navigation function active.
The lighthouse building houses the Centro de Arte Faro Cabo Mayor, where visitors can see maritime artifacts, paintings, sculptures, and historical navigation instruments. This collection reflects how people once navigated at sea and how artists today find inspiration in this coastal setting.
Visitors can enter the building on most days and explore the spaces on their own or join guided tours. It helps to wear comfortable shoes, as the stairs to the tower are narrow and steep.
The lighthouse was operated manually for generations until modern technology took over and people no longer needed to live on site. This automation made it possible to transform the location into an art space without affecting the daily safety of ships at sea.
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