Far de Tabarca, Nineteenth-century lighthouse on Tabarca Island, Spain
Far de Tabarca is a 14-meter tall stone lighthouse that stands on the northern tip of Tabarca Island and guides ships entering and leaving Alicante's coastal waters. The building features a cylindrical tower with a white exterior and is situated near the island's historic fortifications.
The lighthouse was built in 1854 to replace an earlier watchtower that stood on the site since 1552. This change reflects how maritime navigation needs evolved and how the island adapted to maintain its role in coastal protection.
The lighthouse marks a key point in how visitors experience the island today, as locals and guests alike use the area as a natural gathering spot. The structure connects people to the seafaring traditions that shaped life on this Mediterranean island.
Boat services run regularly from Santa Pola and Alicante to reach the island, with the lighthouse within easy walking distance from the dock. Comfortable shoes are helpful as the route involves walking on uneven paths around the island.
Visitors can still spot fragments of the earlier defense structure from 1552 beneath and around the lighthouse, creating a layered view of the island's past. These remnants tell a story of how this exact location has served different purposes across centuries.
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