Countless shipwrecks occurred on the River Plate coasts and the Atlantic Ocean. This dark panorama, plus the pressure of sailors and merchants made the Spanish Crown decided in 1799, the construction of a lantern in Cerro de Montevideo, the first light that illuminated the coasts of the Río de la Plata and one of the first in America.
Punta del Este lighthouse was built the 17th of November 1860 by Tomas Libarena in the southernmost point of Uruguay, Punta Salinas, in order to guide navigation in the Atlantic Ocean and River Plate.
At the very beggining It was planned to be located on Lobos Island, but the fishermen claimed that the light bothered the seals and sea elephants, that is why it was finally moved to the peninsula.
From the very beggining it was the symbol and reference of the peninsula. it was also, for many years, the tallest building in the city.
It was made with a mix of volcanic sand (brought from Rome, Italy) which is harder than cement and allows it to be perfectly preserved until today.
It is 45 mts. height and the crystals which constitute its illumination system were brought from France, This system is electrical, but in case of an emergency it works with acetilene gas. The lighthouse has an inside spiral staircase of 150 steps.
It has a focal height of 44 meters, geographic range of 18 miles, luminous range of 11 miles, luminous intensity of 43,000 candles and emits 2 white flashes every 8 seconds.
Back in 1907, in the signature album of the lighthouse, someone wrote: "We hope that the light of Punta del Este Lighthouse will soon illuminate the best seaside resort city of South America". The lighthouse, in silence, listened to the request and made it come true.......
VERY IMPORTANT!!!: -PLEASE LEAVE THE CACHE WELL HIDDEN AS YOU FIND IT IN ORDER IT CANNOT BE VANDALISED OR STOLEN!!!