Historical-constructive analysis of the lighthouse of Santa Clara Island (San Sebastian, Spain)

Abstract

In mid-19th century more than 4,000 lighthouses were erected in the world, using technology specifically developed for this. In Spain, lighthouses were built as a result of four National Plans designed by the Lighthouse Commission. The lighthouse of Santa Clara Island, located in Donostia-San Sebastian (Spain), was built in 1864 during the first of these plans. As other lighthouses, this building has two parts: the tower, where the technology is placed, and an adjacent building, with the house, stores and offices for the lighthouse keeper. Nowadays the emptying of the lighthouse has started according to a project with tourist purposes. The article aims to draw attention to the current situation of this lighthouse, which will lose a large number of its historical elements. In order to achieve this objective, the current state of the lighthouse has been documented and analysed, before a large part of its architectural, structural and technological heritage elements are destroyed. An exhaustive documentary and constructive study of the building has been carried out, determining three main periods of construction: the original lighthouse, which was erected in 1864; the refurbishment of the late 19th or early 20th century, when a new floor was built; and the minor works carried out during the 20th century. It has also been possible to identify the original construction system and architectural elements of the building. From a constructive-architectural viewpoint, the lighthouse of Santa Clara Island is quite similar to other Spanish lighthouses, such as the lighthouses of Suances, San Vicente de la Barquera, Luarca, Avilés or Tazones, which can be classified within the same typological group. It is expected that the results will contribute to highlight the heritage value of the architectural, structural and technological elements of the historical lighthouses, in order to be considered in future protection strategies.