Cardona Island Light, Maritime lighthouse in Ponce, Puerto Rico
Cardona Island Light is a white cylindrical tower with a black lantern rising 11 meters above a one-story keeper's dwelling on the island. This neoclassical structure was designed by Spanish authorities to mark the entrance to Ponce's commercial harbor.
Spanish authorities built this navigational aid in 1889 to mark the entrance to Ponce's commercial harbor. The structure was part of broader efforts to modernize maritime infrastructure during the late Spanish colonial period.
The structure reflects Puerto Rico's maritime heritage through its symmetrical design and late 19th century architectural choices. This reflects how important Ponce's harbor was to the island's commercial activities and seafaring identity.
The lighthouse sits on an island accessible only by private boat, but visitors can observe it clearly from La Guancha boardwalk or the Ponce Yacht Club. Visiting on clear days offers the best views of the structure from the shore.
This lighthouse houses the only sixth-order Fresnel lens system in Puerto Rico, manufactured by the French firm Sautter, Lemonnier & Company in 1888. This specialized optical technology represented cutting-edge lighthouse engineering for its time.
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