Garrucha Lighthouse

Garrucha Lighthouse stands in the coastal town of Garrucha, in the Almería province of Andalusia, on the stretch of Spain's Mediterranean coast known as the Levante almeriense.

What is the history behind the lighthouse?

The lighthouse was designed in 1879 by engineer Ricardo Sáez and built by contractor Ramón Muley. Before construction was finished, a provisional light was set up in 1880 at the Castillo de Jesús Nazareno to serve ships in the meantime. The push to build a permanent lighthouse in Garrucha came from a sharp rise in maritime traffic at the port, driven by the mining boom in the nearby Sierra Almagrera. The finished tower was lit for the first time on the night of 28 November 1881.

Garrucha's lighthouse is closely tied to the older lighthouse at Villaricos, whose navigational role it took over. In its early years it was essentially a twin of that structure, fitted with the same type of optical apparatus: a lantern made by the French manufacturer Sautter, showing a fixed white light with a range of about 9 nautical miles.

How did the lighthouse change over time?

Electric power reached the lighthouse in 1925, replacing its original light source. During the Spanish Civil War, the light was deliberately switched off to make nighttime navigation harder for hostile vessels approaching the coast.

The most significant change, though, came decades later. On the night of 21-22 September 2021, the lighthouse was switched off for good, closing out 140 years of service. Growing urban lighting in Garrucha had made its signal unnecessary for safe navigation, and its duties were handed over to a new lighthouse built in nearby Mojácar.

What can visitors see today?

Although it no longer operates as an active aid to navigation, the tower is still a recognizable landmark by Garrucha's harbor, standing as a reminder of the town's maritime past, when local ports handled ore shipped down from the Sierra Almagrera mines. The seafront promenade near the lighthouse makes for an easy walk, with views over the fishing port and the bay.

How do you get to the lighthouse?

Garrucha sits on the Mediterranean coast of Almería province, in the Levante almeriense area. The lighthouse is located right by the town's harbor, so it's easiest to reach on foot from central Garrucha or along the coastal promenade that connects the town with neighbors like Mojácar and Vera.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Garrucha lighthouse still active? No. It was permanently switched off on the night of 21-22 September 2021 after 140 years of service, with its navigational role transferred to a new lighthouse in Mojácar.

When was the lighthouse built? It was designed in 1879 and first lit on 28 November 1881, after a provisional light had operated near the Castillo de Jesús Nazareno from 1880.

Why was the lighthouse decommissioned? Increasing urban lighting in Garrucha made the lighthouse's signal redundant for safe navigation, so its function was moved to a newly built lighthouse in Mojácar.

Is it connected to any other lighthouse nearby? Yes. Its history is closely linked to the lighthouse at Villaricos, whose navigational role Garrucha's lighthouse took over, initially using the same type of light apparatus.