Fancy a tale of resilience and light? Let’s talk about Far d’en Pou. It stands tall on the Illa des Porcs. This islet is off Espalmador. Far d’en Pou is more than just a structure. It’s a beacon of history.
Far d’en Pou’s story began because the Ahorcados lighthouse wasn’t enough. It needed to better mark the Freo Grande. This is the tricky strait between Ibiza and Formentera. The lighthouse began its service in March 1864.
Emili Pou designed Far d’en Pou. Initially, it was planned as a 3rd order lighthouse. But the Lighthouse Commission changed this. They decided it should be like Ahorcados. It became a 4th order lighthouse. The light was fixed white. It alternated with three red flashes. This helped distinguish it from La Mola’s light. The lens came from Henri Lepaute in Paris. It cost 11079.45 francs.
Problems arose quickly. Its closeness to the sea was an issue. Waves often swept through the keeper’s cottages. The local sandstone called marès made things worse. It eroded easily.
Pedro Garau suggested a radical solution in 1897. He proposed demolishing the building. New housing would be built higher up. It would be further from the shore. Santanyí stone would be used. This stone is known for resisting erosion. An underground gallery connected the tower to the new dwellings. This allowed keepers to reach the tower safely during storms. Waves often washed over the islet.
But even these new buildings weren’t safe. A massive storm hit in 1913. It tore off the roof. It blew down the partitions. Only the supporting walls remained. The keepers had to seek refuge on S’Espalmador. The whole structure had to be rebuilt.
Far d’en Pou became the second automated lighthouse in 1935. It used an acetylene gas system. A sun valve lit it. This marked the end of the lighthouse keepers’ era. They battled the elements for years.
Today, Far d’en Pou still stands. It has black and white stripes. Its light flashes every 20 seconds. The pattern is three plus one. It reaches 10 nautical miles. The height above sea level is 28 meters. The tower itself is 25 meters tall. This resilient lighthouse is a testament to human ingenuity. It’s a reminder of the challenges faced by those who kept its light burning. Next time you see Far d’en Pou remember its past. Think of the keepers and the storms. Appreciate the light that guides sailors still.