On Sunday, 29 lighthouses across Greece will be made accessible to the general public. The one-day event presents a rare opportunity for visitors to learn more about the contribution of lighthouses to maritime safety and navigation.
The lighthouses are being opened to the public to celebrate World Lighthouse Day, which has been held every year since 2003 on the third Sunday in August. Some of the lighthouses that will be opened to the public are of notable historical significance. For example, the Lighthouse of Akrotiri on Santorini is one of the oldest in the country.
Owing to its vast coastline, myriad of islands, and proud nautical traditions, lighthouses have played an important role throughout the history of Greece.
29 lighthouses to open in Greece
The lighthouses will be open to visit from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 17:00 to 20:00 on Sunday. What sets these lighthouses apart is not only their sheer number but also the diverse personalities they possess. Each lighthouse has a unique architecture, design, and historical significance, serving as a testament to Greece’s maritime heritage. The full list is as follows:
- Aghios Nikolaos the island of Kea
- Akrotiri on Santorini
- Arkitsa in Fthiotida
- Moudari on the island of Kythira
- Vryssaki in Lavrio
- Gerogombos on the island of Kefalonia
- Gourouni on Skopelos
- Drepano in Chania
- Kassandra in Halkidiki
- Kastri on Othoni
- Shinari on Zakynthos
- Kranai in Gythio
- Megalo Emvolo in Thessaloniki
- Melagavi in Loutraki
- Plaka on Limnos
- Korakas on Paros
- Kokkinopoulos on Psara
- Alexandroupolis in Alexandroupoli
- Tenaro in the region of Lakonia
- Koprena in Arta
- Kaki Kefali in Halkida
- Monemvasia in the region of Lakonia
- Lakka on Paxi
- Vassilina on Evia
- Pappa on Ikaria
- Spathi on Serifos
- Doukato on Lefkada
- Katakolo, Ilia region
- Koghi on Salamina
Maritime tradition
Lighthouses form an important part of Greece’s rich maritime traditions. For a country of seafarers, it has always been important to ensure the safety of seaborne vessels – something lighthouses have been doing since antiquity.
Boasting a grand count of 1,600 lighthouses, Greece is among the countries with the most lighthouses in the world. With an average age of approximately two hundred years, each of these lighthouses possesses a distinct personality and a captivating historical narrative.
According to the Lighthouse Authority of the Hellenic Navy, the Greek network of lighthouses extends 18,400 km along the coast of Greece.
Today, the 1,297 torches maintained by the Lighthouse Authority are estimated to fully cover the lighting needs of an extremely large number of islands, islets, and rock islands (9,835) as well as 1,345 bays and coves, 161 straits and channels, and 520 ports.