Paphos Lighthouse

Location and Description

The Paphos Lighthouse is located on the Paphos Point peninsula, which extends into the Mediterranean Sea from the south-western tip of the island of Cyprus. It is situated near the city of Paphos in the District of Paphos (Republic of Cyprus) in southern Cyprus.

History and Construction

The lighthouse was built in 1888 during the time of British administration, when Cyprus was an important military base protecting the maritime route to the Suez Canal. The 20-meter-high lighthouse is a circular tower made of high masonry, with a balcony and lantern. The lighthouse enclosure also contains a one-storey guard house and its dependencies.

Characteristics

The Paphos Lighthouse emits a range of 17 nautical miles (about 31.5 km) for the white light and 11 nautical miles (about 20 km) for the red light, every 15 seconds. The tower is completely painted in white, serving as a landing light for the port of Paphos.

Significance

The Paphos Lighthouse is the best known and most visited lighthouse in Cyprus, located at the southwest end of the island. It was commissioned under British administration and has been an active aid to navigation since its construction in 1888.