Giordan Lighthouse
 Giordan Lighthouse | |
  | |
| Location |
Għasri, Gozo Malta |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 36°04′20″N 14°13′06″E / 36.0722°N 14.2184°ECoordinates: 36°04′20″N 14°13′06″E / 36.0722°N 14.2184°E |
| Year first constructed | 1650 (first) |
| Year first lit | 1853 (current) |
| Foundation | two storey square stone base |
| Construction | stone tower |
| Tower shape | cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern |
| Markings / pattern | white tower and lantern |
| Height | 22 metres (72 ft) |
| Focal height | 180 metres (590 ft) |
| Range | 20 nautical miles (37 km; 23 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl W 7.5s. |
| Admiralty number | E2050 |
| NGA number | 113-10504 |
The Giordan, Gordan or Ta' Gurdan Lighthouse is an active lighthouse on the Maltese island of Gozo. It is located on a hill above the village of Għasri on the northern coast of the island.
History
An earlier lighthouse was known to exist at the site from around 1650, although there are no other specific details. A semaphore station was installed on the light in the 1840s.[1] The current light began operation in 1853, and was built during the period when the islands were part of the British Empire.[2][3]
During World War II, the lighthouse was used as the location for an early warning radar station. The radar would provide information about bombers coming south from Italy, allowing air raid sirens to be activated prior to the raids.[2]
Due to its hill top location it has a considerable focal height of 180m above the sea, and can be seen for 20 nautical miles, and consists of a flashing white light every 7.5 seconds.[3]
The lighthouse site is a tourist attraction, providing a panoramic viewpoint across the island, and can be accessed by car or by walking up the steep hill from the village.[2]
Air quality instruments based at the lighthouse measure a number of parameters including sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide as part of the Global Atmosphere Watch system of atmospheric monitoring. The site is the primary station for the central Mediterranean, and was upgraded between 2008 and 2011. Information is transmitted back to the University of Malta campus in Xewkija for analysis.[4][3]
See also
References
- ↑ "Semaphore Tower". Għargħur Local Council. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
- 1 2 3 "Gordan Lighthouse". Gozo Tourist attractions. Gozo Tourism Association. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
- 1 2 3 Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Malta". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
- ↑ Upgrading of Giordan Lighthouse global Atmospheric Watch (GAW) Research Station
External links
Media related to Giordan Lighthouse at Wikimedia Commons