Basco Lighthouse, Lighthouse in Basco, Philippines
Basco Lighthouse is a white cylindrical tower with red trim standing 20 meters tall on Naidi Hills, built from rubble and reinforced concrete. A viewing deck on the fifth floor provides sightlines across the islands and surrounding waters.
An earlier lighthouse and American telegraph station once stood at this location before being destroyed by Japanese bombing during World War II. The current structure was built afterward to restore this critical navigation function.
The structure incorporates rubble and concrete in ways that reflect how locals traditionally built with what they had nearby, blending past methods with modern needs. This approach tells the story of how Ivatan people have long lived alongside the sea.
Visitors can climb five floors to reach the viewing deck and see Batan Island, Mount Iraya, Sabtang Island, and Itbayat Island from above. An adjacent six-story building serves as a visitor center with facilities for those spending time at the site.
The lighthouse broadcasts navigation signals up to 19 kilometers away, making it one of the most important guide points for ships in this remote part of the Philippines. Despite its maritime importance, it remains a quiet and unhurried place that many visitors overlook.
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