HISTORY
Lighthouses in Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria now has seven functioning lighthouses, three of which are historic.
FARO DE
La Isleta
This lighthouse was built in 1862 and brought into service in 1865. Extensions were made to it in1967 and the last keeper moved out in 1999.
FARO DE
Arinaga
Work on Arinaga Lighthouse was completed in 1892 and it was brought into service in 1897. It had a small wharf for unloading fuel for the lantern. In 1964 a new tower was built on the northern side and in 1985 the current lighthouse was built.
FARO DE
Maspalomas
Maspalomas Lighthouse was originally planned in 1861. Construction began in 1884 and the work was completed in 1889. The lighthouse was brought into service in 1890. In 2005 it was declared a Cultural Asset, in the category of Monument (Historic Site).
FARO DE
Punta de Sardina
The first lighthouse built in the borough of Gáldar is no longer standing. It was built in 1891 and incomprehensibly demolished in the 1980s to build a new one in 1985.
Fun facts, Maspalomas Lighthouse, rising to a height of 56 m, is the tallest historic lighthouse in the Canary Islands. La Isleta Lighthouse is at the highest point above sea level, at 249 m.
The other lighthouses in Gran Canaria, more modern constructions, are at Punta de Melenara (built in 1992), Castillete (built in 1996), Punta de La Aldea, and Punta de Sardina (built in 1985).
