According to legends and descriptions, the giant statue of the God of the Sun on the island of Rhodes, in addition to the object of worship, also served as a lighthouse, since a torch burned in Helios's hand. A powerful earthquake destroyed the statue, leaving us with the famous expression “Colossus with Clay Feet”. Modern lighthouses are impressive for their height and size, and the very name "lighthouse" causes a lot of romantic associations. We set off on a sea voyage and find out which is the largest lighthouse that illuminates the path and helps ships arrive in their native harbor.
Alexandrian lighthouse
The seventh wonder of the world, built on the island of Faros, in the XII century fell into decay, and ceased to fulfill its main function. A powerful earthquake in the XIV century completely destroyed the lighthouse, and its fragments were subsequently used to build a fortress.
Archaeological research and the latest computer modeling technologies have restored the appearance of one of the oldest and largest lighthouses, illuminating the way for ships in the Mediterranean. So his light, even if it is destroyed, comes to us from distant antiquity.
Lighthouse Waugoshance. 19 m
The low lighthouse was on our list, since the structure itself, which grew up on Lake Michigan in the USA, is quite massive, making it one of the largest lighthouses in the world.
Built in 1851, the lighthouse survived many historical events, and even witnessed the Civil War. It was closed in 1912, and at the beginning of the XXI century, after reconstruction, it was open for tourists to visit.
Tower of Hercules. 55 m
The oldest lighthouse on the planet rises above the sea and the Spanish city of A Coruña. Its appearance is connected with the myth of Hercules, who, after defeating Gerion, arrived in this beautiful area and built a beautiful tower on the shore.
A lighthouse built of stone blocks impresses with the correctness of its architectural forms and large size. Today it is a historical site, and an archaeological park is nearby.
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. 57 m
Another unusual lighthouse can rightfully lead the list of the most mysterious lighthouses in the world. Just note that they built it in 1870 on Cape Hatteras, and today it is the highest lighthouse in the United States and the largest brick lighthouse in the world.
Two ocean currents merge at the cape, and the place itself among the sailors is called the “cemetery of the Atlantic”, due to the fact that a large number of ships sank in this place.
Osinovets lighthouse. 70 m
In 1910, a lighthouse was erected on the shore of Lake Ladoga, whose height was exactly 70 meters, and if you count from the surface of the water, then its lamps are at an altitude of 74 m.
It was built for 5 years, so during the construction the contractor changed. It also went down in history because in the late 80s and early 90s, the oldest Russian lighthouse Sergey Shulyatiev worked as a ranger on it.
Punta Penna. 70.1 m
On the high shore of the Adriatic Sea in 1948, a beautiful lighthouse was erected, showing the way for ships on the high seas. The tall white stone building has become a popular tourist attraction.
In addition, next to the tower is the Catholic Church of Santa Maria di Pennaluc, in which spiritual services are held in support of those who plow the sea.
Storozhensky lighthouse. 71 m
In the southeast of Lake Ladoga, near the small village of Storozhno, a magnificent lighthouse grew in 1906. It was already the fourth lighthouse built on the lake.
A 71-meter spiral staircase leads to a tall stone tower, standing at 71 meters. Beautiful views of the lake and surrounding forests open from above, and its red light from the Watchtower extends to a distance of 17 miles, while the white light a little further - to 22 miles.
Baysyamen. 71.9 m
A triangular-shaped lighthouse is located on Haidian Island (Beijing, China), and takes an honorable second place among the large and high lighthouses in China. It was erected in 2000 to ensure the safe passage of ships.
The best architects and construction companies of China were invited to work. As we see in the photo, the original, unusual construction really turned out.
Mulantou. 72.12 m
Over the expanses of the Chinese island of Hainan rises the most beautiful lighthouse of Asia, whose name translates as "Magnolia".
In addition to being one of the highest in the Asian region, it is also installed at an altitude of 97 m above sea level. He began to show the way to ships in 1995, and his light is visible to ships from a distance of 44 km.
Lighthouse de Kereon. 72.8 m
The uniqueness of this lighthouse is that it is located in the open sea, and not many daredevils decided to get a position as a caretaker. The lighthouse erected in 1916 was electrified in 2004, and the need for caretakers disappeared.
The building was named in honor of the French officer who donated a large sum for its construction. Today, the huge lighthouse, which is unofficially called the “Sea Palace”, is a tourist attraction, and is on our list as one of the few lonely standing in the sea.
Forest Mall Swing Rear. 73 m
The tallest lighthouse in Russia rises above the Gulf of Finland in St. Petersburg, whose height is 73 m. It is on target, since it works only in pairs, and among similar structures it is the highest in the world.
He began work in 1986, and helps ships get from the Sea Canal to one of the technical bays of a large port. Every four seconds, a red light comes on at the top of the tower, visible from a great distance to the ships that enter the bay.
Gatville. 74.85 m
In Normandy, off the coast of the English Channel, the magnificent Gatville, built next to the old lighthouse in 1835, illuminates the way of the ships. Practical Frenchmen opened it for tourists to visit, as its observation deck offers spectacular views of the surroundings.
To climb to the very top you need to go through 357 steps of the original spiral staircase with wrought iron railings. The oldest lighthouse in Europe was damaged during the Second World War, but was completely restored by the beginning of the 50s.
La Lanterna. 77 m
From ancient times, the Genoese were famous as excellent mariners and merchants, and the port of Genoa was one of the largest ports in the world. For the safety of ships, in 1128 a lighthouse began to work here. In 1543 it was rebuilt, and it acquired a modern look.
Having survived several wars in which the tower was repeatedly damaged by shelling and bombing. Today, he continues to help his ships flicker to safely enter the port of Italian Genoa.
Ile Vierge. 82.5 m
But this building, built in 1902 in the western department of France, is the highest lighthouse in Europe. Next to him is a predecessor who has not been working for a long time, but left as an architectural monument.
In addition, the French Ile Verge is the highest, so to speak, “traditional lighthouse”, that is, it was originally built for a different purpose, but performing functions to ensure safe navigation.
La Jumien. 100 m
At the beginning of the twentieth century, on the rocky spur of the extreme tip of the Breton water area, a beautiful lighthouse, so needed in this dangerous part of the sea, grew up.
30 ships crashed here, and the French authorities decided to establish a lighthouse. The last caretaker was fired in 1991, as this year the design was fully automated.
Kypu Lighthouse. 102.6 m
The historic lighthouse of Estonia was built in 1530 and soared to a height of just over 102 m. It is hard to imagine that this building on Hiiumaa Island was erected in the 16th century.
Of interesting facts, we note that this is the highest such lighthouse on the Baltic Sea, and it is also an important object of cultural heritage of the Baltic state. From May to September, tourists can visit it, and they come from different parts of the world to touch the marine history.
Marin tower. 106 m
The Sea Tower is the largest lighthouse in the world and the highest in Japan, and it began to function in 1961, indicating to the ships the entrance to the country's largest port of the rising sun. At a hundred-meter height, a viewing platform is equipped with magnificent views of the city of Yokohama.
In 2000, the lighthouse was restored, and today it not only flickers red and green, but the tower itself is illuminated by multiple lights. In May 2009, the grand opening and presentation of new features of the engineering structure took place.
Memorial of Victory Perry and world peace. 107.3 m
The memorial, which also serves as a lighthouse, was erected in 1915 in honor of the victory of the American fleet over the British squadron on Lake Erie, which occurred in 1813.
A monument to Oliver Perry, who commanded the North American fleet in that battle, was erected next to the tall lighthouse tower. In addition, the amazing memorial has become a symbol of friendship of three countries - the USA, Canada and Great Britain.
Jeddah Lighthouse. 133 m
One of the most beautiful sights of the Red Sea, the highest lighthouse in the world, built in the bay of the city of Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), began to work in the early 90s of the last century. Today it is the record holder among lighthouses, as it rises above the sea waves to a height of 133 m, and its light is visible from a distance of 46 km.
In addition, it is also a unique architectural structure built using advanced technologies. The architects of the project perfectly synthesized modern and traditional architectural styles in its appearance.
So we found out which lighthouses are the most unusual and largest. It would seem that the usual means of navigational equipment, and in how many poetic and literary works, it acts as a symbol of faith, hope, illuminating the path not only to ships, but also to lost souls.
Article author: Valery Skiba