The Delimara Lighthouse is an active lighthouse on the island of Malta. It is the second lighthouse to be built on the Delimara point near Marsaxlokk at the southern end of the island.[1] The original lighthouse which was built in the mid 19th century still exists alongside the more modern rectangular tower which opened in 1990. This newer two storey building has observation windows, with roof mounted radar and aerials, and is used for coastal traffic control.[1]
The lighthouse has views of Marsascala and Birżebbuġa which is found opposite the lighthouse. It is also close to Saint Peter's Pool. The original 1850s lighthouse is still present and near the contemporary rectangular two storey tower that was inaugurated in 1990.
HistoryEdit
The restored 19th century lighthouse
The first lighthouse opened in 1855.[2] It was constructed at the same time as the Giordan Lighthouse, which marks the northern end of the island of Gozo. Both were built during the time of British rule on the islands.[3]
The initial light system produced a constant red light, using lamps powered by olive oil. This was replaced in 1896 by a rotating optic system supplied by the Chance Brothers of Smethwick, which used a rotating table coupled with a Fresnel lens to produce an alternating red and white flash every thirty seconds. The apparatus was powered by a weight slowly descending from the lantern room, which drove a clockwork mechanism turning the table at a set rotation. It was lit using lamps powered by paraffin, which was stored in a copper tank with ornate brass fittings.[3]
The light continued in operation, until 1990 when it was deactivated. The building which consists of an octagonal 22m tower with a two-storey house was found to be in a poor state of repair, and was handed over to Din l-Art Helwa for renovation.[3][2]
Throughout the years the Delimara Lighthouse acted as a beacon to the Maltese shipping industry. It is also considered by some to be a landmark of British architecture.[4]
RestorationEdit
The restoration has been carried out in three phases. The first part of the refurbishment involved the restoration of the external part of the tower. The outside openings needed maintenance, and lost timber apertures were changed. Moreover, the entire fabric of the lighthouse was restored, including damage to the walls, timber apertures, roof and the lantern tower, which had been in a moderate state of conservation prior to the refurbishment. All cement deposits that were included in the years before were taken out and the mortar joints were plastered with a hydraulic lime-based mix.
The second phase concentrated on the interior of the lighthouse. Works such as plumbing and electricity, maintenance of internal apertures and the installation of a kitchen and bathrooms were carried out in order to convert the lighthouse back to a livable environment. These restoration projects were finished by the first months of 2008.
The third and final phase involves the restoration of the lantern machinery and mechanism. This includes the lantern's housing and gas prisms. This last phase took 5 years to be completed.[5] The restoration was being sponsored by the Malta Maritime Authority.[2] It has been carried out by Din l-Art Helwa[2] and supported by GasanMamo Insurance. The ultimate aim of the project, besides giving back life to an important historic landmark through the works of volunteer's, is to offer visitor accommodation in a historic site.[5]
AccommodationEdit
The Delimara lighthouse keeper's accommodations have been transformed into two apartments available for rent. The apartments can accommodate up to ten people in total, five in each flat. These are situated around the central funnel of the lighthouse, and have views of the surrounding coast.[6]
^ abcdMorana, Martin (2011). (in Maltese). Malta: Books Distributors Limited. ISBN978-99957-0137-6. Archived from the original on 5 October 2016.
^ abcRandon, Stanley Farrugia. "Restoration_of_the_Lighthouse_at_Delimara". Conservation and Restoration. academia.edu. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
^"Delimara Lighthouse, Delimara | Din l-Art Helwa - National Trust of Malta". dinlarthelwa.org. 10 October 2011. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
^ ab. www.gasanmamo.com. Archived from the original on 28 September 2015. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
^"Lighthouse at Delimara put to new use by Din l-Art Helwa - The Malta Independent". www.independent.com.mt. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
External linksEdit
Media related to Delimara Lighthouse at Wikimedia Commons
October 19, 2023
delimara, lighthouse, active, lighthouse, island, malta, second, lighthouse, built, delimara, point, near, marsaxlokk, southern, island, original, lighthouse, which, built, 19th, century, still, exists, alongside, more, modern, rectangular, tower, which, opene. The Delimara Lighthouse is an active lighthouse on the island of Malta It is the second lighthouse to be built on the Delimara point near Marsaxlokk at the southern end of the island 1 The original lighthouse which was built in the mid 19th century still exists alongside the more modern rectangular tower which opened in 1990 This newer two storey building has observation windows with roof mounted radar and aerials and is used for coastal traffic control 1 Delimara LighthouseDelimara Point LighthouseCurrent lighthouseLocationMarsaxlokk MaltaCoordinates35 49 19 N 14 33 32 E 35 822 N 14 559 E 35 822 14 559TowerConstructed1855 1990sConstructionmasonryHeight18 metres 59 ft Shapetwo story building with communications equipmentMarkingsunpainted buildingLightFocal height35 metres 115 ft Range18 nautical miles 33 km 21 mi CharacteristicFl 2 W 12s The lighthouse has views of Marsascala and Birzebbuġa which is found opposite the lighthouse It is also close to Saint Peter s Pool The original 1850s lighthouse is still present and near the contemporary rectangular two storey tower that was inaugurated in 1990 History Edit nbsp The restored 19th century lighthouseThe first lighthouse opened in 1855 2 It was constructed at the same time as the Giordan Lighthouse which marks the northern end of the island of Gozo Both were built during the time of British rule on the islands 3 The initial light system produced a constant red light using lamps powered by olive oil This was replaced in 1896 by a rotating optic system supplied by the Chance Brothers of Smethwick which used a rotating table coupled with a Fresnel lens to produce an alternating red and white flash every thirty seconds The apparatus was powered by a weight slowly descending from the lantern room which drove a clockwork mechanism turning the table at a set rotation It was lit using lamps powered by paraffin which was stored in a copper tank with ornate brass fittings 3 The light continued in operation until 1990 when it was deactivated The building which consists of an octagonal 22m tower with a two storey house was found to be in a poor state of repair and was handed over to Din l Art Helwa for renovation 3 2 Throughout the years the Delimara Lighthouse acted as a beacon to the Maltese shipping industry It is also considered by some to be a landmark of British architecture 4 Restoration EditThe restoration has been carried out in three phases The first part of the refurbishment involved the restoration of the external part of the tower The outside openings needed maintenance and lost timber apertures were changed Moreover the entire fabric of the lighthouse was restored including damage to the walls timber apertures roof and the lantern tower which had been in a moderate state of conservation prior to the refurbishment All cement deposits that were included in the years before were taken out and the mortar joints were plastered with a hydraulic lime based mix The second phase concentrated on the interior of the lighthouse Works such as plumbing and electricity maintenance of internal apertures and the installation of a kitchen and bathrooms were carried out in order to convert the lighthouse back to a livable environment These restoration projects were finished by the first months of 2008 The third and final phase involves the restoration of the lantern machinery and mechanism This includes the lantern s housing and gas prisms This last phase took 5 years to be completed 5 The restoration was being sponsored by the Malta Maritime Authority 2 It has been carried out by Din l Art Helwa 2 and supported by GasanMamo Insurance The ultimate aim of the project besides giving back life to an important historic landmark through the works of volunteer s is to offer visitor accommodation in a historic site 5 Accommodation EditThe Delimara lighthouse keeper s accommodations have been transformed into two apartments available for rent The apartments can accommodate up to ten people in total five in each flat These are situated around the central funnel of the lighthouse and have views of the surrounding coast 6 See also Edit nbsp Malta portal nbsp Engineering portal List of lighthouses in MaltaReferences Edit a b Rowlett Russ Lighthouses of Malta The Lighthouse Directory University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Retrieved 5 November 2014 a b c d Morana Martin 2011 Bejn Kliem u Storja in Maltese Malta Books Distributors Limited ISBN 978 99957 0137 6 Archived from the original on 5 October 2016 a b c Randon Stanley Farrugia Restoration of the Lighthouse at Delimara Conservation and Restoration academia edu Retrieved 21 September 2015 Delimara Lighthouse Delimara Din l Art Helwa National Trust of Malta dinlarthelwa org 10 October 2011 Retrieved 21 September 2015 a b February 2014 www gasanmamo com Archived from the original on 28 September 2015 Retrieved 21 September 2015 Lighthouse at Delimara put to new use by Din l Art Helwa The Malta Independent www independent com mt Retrieved 21 September 2015 External links Edit nbsp Media related to Delimara Lighthouse at Wikimedia Commons Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Delimara Lighthouse amp oldid 1140438662, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
