Faro de Finisterre, Lighthouse in Fisterra, Spain
Faro de Finisterre is a stone lighthouse at the northwestern edge of the Iberian Peninsula featuring an octagonal tower topped with a silver lantern. The structure stands 17 meters tall and commands views across the rocky coastline where the land meets the Atlantic.
Built in 1853, this lighthouse represents 19th-century maritime engineering designed to guide ships through treacherous waters. Its continued operation reflects the enduring importance of this headland for navigation and coastal safety.
The lighthouse marks a spiritual destination for pilgrims completing their Camino de Santiago journey, where many pause for reflection at this coastal point.
The site is accessible year-round and best visited during clearer weather when paths are dry and safe underfoot. Sturdy footwear is recommended since the terrain around the lighthouse is rocky and wind can be strong at this exposed headland.
The headland rises to about 120 metres, not 143. Slightly above the lighthouse stands the Semáforo, a military signal structure built in 1879 to relay messages to the navy, designed by Joaquín Vázquez. The light itself flashes white every five seconds and reaches 23 nautical miles in ordinary weather.
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