Cape Agulhas Lighthouse, Maritime lighthouse in L'Agulhas, South Africa

The Cape Agulhas Lighthouse is a round tower 27 metres high, painted red with a white band, attached to the keeper's house that now holds a museum and restaurant. Built of sandstone, its design was inspired by the Pharos of Alexandria. The light sits 31 metres above high water and gives one white flash every five seconds.

Colonel Charles Michell formulated plans for this lighthouse in 1837, which led to the mobilization of international funding for its construction. The tower was completed in December 1848 after more than a decade of planning and building work.

The keeper's house now holds a museum and restaurant; the museum opened on 28 January 1994. Michiel van Breda, who donated the land, cited the 1815 Arniston shipwreck, in which only six of 378 people aboard survived, when urging the lighthouse's construction.

The climb to the viewing platform requires moderate effort since the stairs are narrow and steep, so take your time and hold the railings firmly. From the top you can see up to 30 nautical miles across the ocean on clear days, making for sweeping ocean views.

The design of this structure drew inspiration from the ancient Egyptian Pharos, the legendary lighthouse of the ancient world. This connection to one of history's most famous beacon towers gives the building an unexpected classical heritage.