Giordan Lighthouse

Giordan Lighthouse
Ta' Ġurdan Lighthouse

Giordan Lighthouse
Malta
Location Għasri, Gozo
Malta
Coordinates 36°04′20″N 14°13′06″E / 36.0722°N 14.2184°E / 36.0722; 14.2184Coordinates: 36°04′20″N 14°13′06″E / 36.0722°N 14.2184°E / 36.0722; 14.2184
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, Ġordan or Ta' Ġurdan 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]

Giordan Lighthouse Panorama

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Semaphore Tower". Għargħur Local Council. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 "Ġordan Lighthouse". Gozo Tourist attractions. Gozo Tourism Association. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Malta". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  4. ↑ Upgrading of Giordan Lighthouse global Atmospheric Watch (GAW) Research Station

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