Lighthouse of La Serena

The Lighthouse of La Serena is a fortified coastal structure located at the end of Francisco de Aguirre Avenue, featuring watchtowers and gun emplacements. The white building blends the practical function of a beacon with the robust architecture of a Spanish colonial fortress.

The structure was built between 1950 and 1951 as part of President Gabriel González Videla's urban modernization initiative for the city. This construction reflected the goal of combining coastal security with modern urban development.

The lighthouse carries the dual identity of a beacon and coastal fortress in local memory. Today it stands as a symbol of the city's maritime heritage and modernization efforts from the mid-20th century.

The building can be reached on foot from La Serena's bus terminal by walking down Francisco de Aguirre Avenue. It is best to walk during daylight hours when the surroundings are clearly visible and other pedestrians are about.

The building was originally designed to house a weapons museum within its walls, a function that never fully materialized. This dual purpose as both defensive structure and cultural space shows how the city wanted to use multifunctional buildings for its development.