Ta' Ġurdan Lighthouse: Gozo's Guiding Light

Ta' Ġurdan Lighthouse, also known as Il-Fanal ta' Ġurdan, stands as a sentinel over Gozo from its location on a hill in the village of Għasri. Erected in 1851 under British rule, the lighthouse began guiding ships in 1853 to manage increasing maritime traffic. Rising 161 meters above sea level, it offers breathtaking panoramic views of Gozo's landscapes and the Mediterranean Sea.Originally, the lighthouse used 21 oil lamps with silver-plated brass reflectors and lenses, creating a beam visible for 38 nautical miles. Modern advancements have reduced the beam's intensity, and light pollution has somewhat diminished its luminosity. Today, the lighthouse is fully automated.Visitors can walk up the moderately steep incline to the lighthouse, enjoying the views along the way. The site also features the ruins of a colonial military observation post. Besides its function as a lighthouse, it also serves as a weather monitoring station, measuring air quality parameters as the principal Global Atmospheric Watch Station for the Central Mediterranean.