The Europa Point Lighthouse

Welcome back to our blog. It’s been a very busy week for us as we’re in the middle of the wedding season and more and more people are realising how beneficial and just how economical it is to get married here in Gibraltar.

We have couples flying in from the UK and Ireland on a regular basis and we have weddings almost every day of the week. Helping couples to get married here always makes us happy. Gibraltar really does have a lot to offer. If you haven’t seen our posts about what you can do here, I suggest you have a peak. You may be surprised at just how much there is to do and see.

I don’t believe we’ve told you, so far, about Europa Point, which is definitely worth a visit while you’re here.

Europa Point is on the furthest south-eastern part of the rock of Gibraltar. It’s famous for its Trinity lighthouse or La Farola, as it’s known among the local Gibraltarians, which stands 20 meters high and about 49 meters above the sea level. The lighthouse dates back as far as 1841 when 10,000 people gathered to watch its inauguration.

Not many people know this but Gibraltar’s governor, at the time, Sir Alexander George Woodford, placed the lighthouse’s first foundation stone down in 1838. Since the government had recruited the aid of the Masonic order of Gibraltar for its construction, the foundation stone was inscribed with the following: ´

This foundation-stone of a light-house, erected by order of the colonial government of her Majesty Victoria, Queen of Great Britain and Ireland and their dependencies, in the first year of her reign, was laid on the 26th day of April, A.D. 1838, A.L. 5838, with military and Masonic honours, by his Excellency Major-General Sir Alexander Woodford, K.C.B. &c. governor and commander-in-chief of the town and garrison of Gibraltar, assisted by the Rev. W. E. T. Burrow, D.D. F.R.S. Provincial Grand Master, for the protection of Mediterranean commerce, the saving of human life, and the honour of the British name.

Over the years, the lighthouse has been upgraded 4 times. The first time was in 1864 when they replaced the old single wick lamp with a four wick burner. In 1875, 1894 and 1905 the light emission was increased and then, finally, in 1994 the lighthouse was made fully automated.

Now that you know a little bit about its history, perhaps we should tell you that, on a clear day, the views over to Africa are absolutely breathtaking. You can watch all the ships coming and going from Gibraltar and breathe in that pure Mediterranean air.

You’ll love it and we can’t wait for you to see it!