What is a lighthouse [faro in Spanish]? Used to assist mariners with navigation, a lighthouse is a structure based on the shore, at a harbour or river, and is normally in the form of a tower, building or framework with a lamp at the top. The lamp itself emits a beam of light in a pre-determined pattern.

The light sequences are revealed on navigational charts which identify the appropriate lighthouse,
and as a result the mariners can then easily establish their position during stormy conditions or during the night. Prior to the invention of the lighthouse, mariners were warned of hazards and guided by fires which had been lit along the shores.

There are many lighthouses in the Canary Islands; too many to mention here. We have listed below [in no particular order] our top 10 lighthouses in the Canary Islands. Our selection is based purely on the lighthouse's location and also its design.

Punta Cumplida in La Palma : Built in 1867, and restored in 1982 when its height was increased by 4m, Punta Cumplida has been an active lighthouse since it was built and flashes every 5 seconds. The lighthouse itself is attached to a keeper's house [which is painted white], and is cylindrical dark stone. Punta Complida is located about 5km from Barlovento in the northeast of the island.

Fuencaliente in La Palma : Built in 1903 this lighthouse has a cylindrical stone tower which is joined to a keeper's house. After being damaged in an earthquake in 1939, the lighthouse was rebuilt and then restored again in 2004 when a lantern was added [it has been removed after the earthquake]. The lighthouse is not active, but adjacent has been built another concrete cylindrical tower which is white with 2 red bands running round. Fuencaliente lighthouse can be found at the most southerly point of the island of La Palma and emits 3 white flashes every 20 seconds.

Faro de Orchilla in El Hierro : Built in 1933, Faro de Orchilla is in operation and gives a white flash every 5 seconds. The lighthouse is unusual in that the tower is octagonal and painted grey. This lighthouse is famed for being one of the Canary Islands' most remote lighthouses. This point [Punta Orchilla] was considered originally as the end of the known world and was used as a reference point in cartography. Before Greenwich was used as the Prime Meridian, Faro de Orchilla took this honour and was Meridiano Cero between the years 1634 and 1884. However, it will always remain the most southerly point of Europe.

San Cristobal in La Gomera : Built in 1903, the original lighthouse is now inactive. However, it is situated at the front of the more recent San Cristobal lighthouse. The old lighthouse is white with a green metallic roof, and the current one is white with 1 horizontal red stripe located just below the gallery. The new lighthouse was built in 1978 and is operational providing 2 white flashes every 10 seconds. You will find San Cristobal just north of San Sebastian de La Gomera.

Punta del Hidalgo in Tenerife : Built in 1991, we have chose this lighthouse due to the usual architectural design in that it is a white tower in a split pyramid form. Currently active, this lighthouse is located in Punta del Hidalgo which can be found on the northeast coast, just north of Bajamar, and gives 3 white flashes every 16 seconds.

Punta de Anaga in Tenerife : Built in 1864 this lighthouse is in complete contrast to Punta del Hidalgo although it is still an operational lighthouse. The tower itself is built of unpainted stone which is attached to the keeper's house. The lighthouse can be found at the most northeastern point of Tenerife and is one of the most historic lighthouses in Tenerife and gives 6 white flashes every 30 seconds.

Punta Sardina in Gran Canaria : Built in 1985, this traditional active cylindrical lighthouse is painted white with red bands below the gallery. Located on the northwest coast of the island of Gran Canaria, to the west of the resort of Galdar, the lighthouse gives 4 white flashes every 20 seconds.

Maspalomas in Gran Canaria : Built in 1980, Maspalomas lighthouse is still operational and provides 3 white flashes every 13 seconds. A famous landmark - as well as an attraction for tourists to the popular resort of Maspalomas - located at the southernmost point of the island of Gran Canaria, the Maspalomas lighthouse is built of stone of a blue-grey hue and adjoins the white keeper's house.

Punta la Entellada in Fuerteventura : Built in 1955, we have chosen this lighthouse due to its unusual appearance, being built of stone with white cement between these stones and resembles a small fortress. Located near to Las Playitas the lighthouse provides 3 white flashes every 18 seconds.

Pechiguera in Lanzarote : Built in 1866, Pechiguera lighthouse ceased operation in 1988 - some 122 years later. A new lighthouse was built adjacent to the old one in 1988. Painted white, the cylindrical tower emits every 30 seconds 3 white flashes. You will find both lighthouses at the southwest of the island of Lanzarote.

So next time you see a lighthouse, just take a while to look out to sea and wonder at the many ships which have passed safely during the night all because of the light being emitted from the small gallery at the top and the mariner being able to identity that particular lighthouse because of the pattern of flashes being emitted and therefore pinpoint his co-ordinates on a map.