Paphos Lighthouse, Paphos

Paphos Lighthouse, a steadfast guardian of Cyprus's southwestern coast, stands as both a maritime beacon and a historical testament. Situated on Paphos Point, a picturesque peninsula extending into the Mediterranean Sea, this iconic lighthouse has been a silent sentinel since its construction in 1888, during Cyprus's British colonial era.

In the late 19th century, when Cyprus was a pivotal military base protecting the sea route from the Suez Canal to the British colonies, Paphos Lighthouse took on a vital role. It became a reassuring landfall marker, guiding ships on their approach to the bustling Paphos harbor from distant Britain. The gleam of its light served as a welcoming embrace for sailors navigating the Mediterranean waters.

This lighthouse, with its timeless grace, showcases a 20-meter high masonry tower adorned with a pristine whitewashed exterior. Its elegant simplicity evokes a sense of dignity and purpose. A single gallery encircles the lantern, and this solitary figure stands encircled by a modest compound that includes the keeper's dwelling and various outbuildings.

Paphos Lighthouse, with its lantern positioned at a focal height of 36 meters above the sea, emits a brilliant and reassuring light that stretches far across the waves. Sailors can glimpse this reassuring radiance from a distance of 17 nautical miles, an essential guide for those traversing the Mediterranean waters. Its signature is a long flash of white light that renews hope every fifteen seconds.