Medes Islands

This lighthouse is located on top of Meda Gran Island, 86 metres above sea level and 10.55 metres above the ground, surrounded by the remains of old buildings and seabird nesting sites. It delimits the southern side of the light string of the Roses lighthouse, but it also has geodetic relevance for delimiting the south of the light string of the Cap de Creus lighthouse and indicating the break or channel that separates the Medas Islands from the coast of Torroella de Montgrí.

Name
Medes Islands
Coordinates
42º 02.9' N - 03º 13.3' E
National Number
31300
International Number
E-0472
Scope
14 nautical miles
Focal Plane Elevation
87 m
Luminous Appearance
4 flashes every 24”

Non-resident lighthouse keeper

On 1 June 1868, it was the last lighthouse inaugurated during the reign of Isabel II, promoter of the plan for lighthouses and lights on the coast, since two months later the liberal revolution broke out that forced her to leave the country.

It was one of the first Spanish lighthouses that was left without permanent staff living in it. Its maintenance then became dependent on the Roses lighthouse keeper, who went to renew the fuel by boat every week. On 29 November 1933, the lighthouse keeper was shipwrecked and it was decided that the maintenance of the lighthouse should be carried out from closer, from l’Estartit.

 

Solar energy

In 1982, a solar-powered lighting system was installed, one of the first in the entire state.