Punta Nati lighthouse

This lighthouse stands on the cliffs of Punta Nati in the far north-west of Menorca, 6 km from Ciutadella.

The lighthouse

Punta Nati lighthouse consists of two detached rectangular buildings and a 19-m high tower with a hexagonal base. It stands 42 m above sea level and flashes in groups of three and then one every 20 seconds. Its lamp can be seen 16 nautical miles away.

Punta Nati. Menorca — Punta Nati ©Autoritat Portuaria de Balears

History

Built in just over a year due to pressure from the French government after the wreck of the steamship Général Chanzy in 1910, the lighthouse at Punta Nati was opened in 1913. Subsequently, the lighthouse at Favàritx was opened, which, along with the lighthouse on Cavalleria, completed the chain of lighthouses on the north coast of Menorca. The lighthouse at Punta Nati began using lamps powered by petrol gas, but in 1921 a non-automatic lamp powered by acetylene gas was installed.

Punta Nati lighthouse, 1942. Lighthouses of Menorca — Punta Nati lighthouse, 1942 ©Autoritat Portuaria de Balears

Punta Nati surroundings

The lighthouse stands in a landscape known as dry Menorca, with tall cliffs that give way inland to a flat rocky landscape. The vegetation is scant and low, salt-tolerant, and with a large number of wild caper plants. The lack of built-up areas has permitted the survival of endless dry-stone walls that are only interrupted by barraques or ponts de bens, shelters built from dry stone where cattle take cover in the event of bad weather. The headland is an excellent place for wonderful sunsets, with the island of Mallorca in the background on the horizon. At dusk during the breeding season, large numbers of Cory’s shearwaters form groups out to sea before they head for their nearby breeding colonies, the largest of this species on Menorca.

How to get there

Punta Nati is 6 km north of Ciutadella. From the centre of the town, take the Camí de Son Salomó as far as a roundabout on the northern ring-road, from where the road to the lighthouse at Punta Nati heads north. If you are coming from Maó, the most direct route is to take the northern ring-road as far as this roundabout and then turn right towards the lighthouse.

The end of the road to the lighthouse is a very narrow cul-de-sac where it can be difficult to turn your car around on summer evenings. So, if you approach by car, it is best to turn it around as soon as you arrive.

Map of Punta Nati

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See all the lighthouses of Menorca

Lighthouses of Menorca

The lighthouses of Menorca

The lonely isolated locations of the majority of lighthouses, along with their singular silhouettes, have always meant that these unmistakeable symbols of coastal areas are much appreciated by many people. Their main raison d’être is to avoid accidents and tragedies and guarantee safe sailing.

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Sa Farola lighthouse

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Sant Carles lighthouse

The original lighthouse of Sant Carles was opened in 1852 but was demolished because it obstructed the firing practice of the nearby military gun emplacement.