Lighthouse of Colonia, Lighthouse in historic quarter, Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay.

The Colonia lighthouse rises on the Río de la Plata shore, built in January 1857 atop one of the old towers of the San Francisco convent, so its lower part is square rather than round. Above it stands the cylindrical tower with radial red and white stripes, 26 metres tall, with a range of 7.8 nautical miles. Inside, a metal staircase of 118 steps leads to the lantern.

The lighthouse was built in January 1857 on top of one of the old towers of the San Francisco convent, whose square base explains why the lower structure is not round. Kerosene lamps first powered it, later replaced by acetylene gas and electricity, and in 1997 solar panels were installed.

The lighthouse rises from one of the old towers of the San Francisco convent, whose ruins lie at its foot. The square base is the convent tower itself; the cylindrical striped top was added in 1857. Visitors can still see the convent remains beside the entrance.

Visitors can climb to the top on most days and see the old town and river from above. The building is easy to reach on foot from the main streets of the historic district.

The lighthouse stands on one of the old towers of the San Francisco convent, so its lower part is square rather than round. Inside, a metal staircase of 118 steps leads up to the lantern, which runs on 12-volt solar power.