Far d’Artrutx
A lighthouse with a long history
The Artrutx Lighthouse is located about 8 km south of Ciudadela, specifically located on the cape of Artrutx. A mid-nineteenth century lighthouse, very different from the rest of the lighthouses on the island of Menorca. Literature and cinema have turned lighthouses into buildings with a certain romantic charm and the lighthouses of Menorca were not going to be less (even when there is an urbanization around them and it loses that nostalgic point of desert terrain).
Built in 1858 and inaugurated in 1859, it was originally powered by olive oil and later by petroleum until 1930, when electricity was introduced. Atypical in terms of coloring, it has black and white stripes, which, depending on the light, may appear dark blue.
Since September 2005 it belongs to the insular catalog of Menorca’s historical heritage.
This lighthouse hides several curiosities that give it cultural and historical importance, something that at first sight is not appreciated and, although it is not the most spectacular of the island, it is one of the most important. For example, the optics that at first had this lighthouse, was lent to the lighthouse of Cap Blanc in 1970, where it is still active, thus becoming the oldest optics of the Balearic lighthouses.
Its physiognomy is different from the rest of the lighthouses of this island. Its initial height was about 36 meters, however, it is currently 57 meters high due to a reform carried out in 1967 in order to comply with the Lighting Improvement Plan. During this renovation, a series of buttresses were added (which give it the appearance we see today) in order to make it firmer and thus preserve the stability of the tower.
Another curiosity is the existence of an underwater cave near the lighthouse that sometimes produces tremors of such magnitude that they can break the glass of the lighthouse lantern.
The written documents tell that, in 1860, in the Island of Menorca several prisoners escaped from jail and the civil subgovernor of the island, by means of a writing, requested help to the lighthouse keepers to capture them. They replied that they would not be able to provide the requested assistance because, although according to the Regulations of the Corps of Lighthouse Keepers, each lighthouse had to possess armament, they had not been provided with it.
Name: Far d’Artrutx
Location: Ciutadella area (?)
Distance from Mahón: ¿? MN ; ? km
Weather from Mahón: ¿? by boat (average speed: 15 knots); ? min by car
Type of beach: ?
Anchoring with boat: ?
Posidonia: ?
Danger access by boat: ¿?
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Faro de Artrutx in Menorca, how to get there?
From Ciutadella you must join the road from Calle de La Paz and continue 10 km along the road towards Cap d’Artrutx until the end of the road. During the trip you will have to pass through the urbanizations of Santandria and Cala Blanca, before arriving at your destination, Urbanización Tamarinda. All along the way you will find signposts that will indicate the route to follow, you can’t get lost. From Mahón you will have to get to Ciudadela, and then follow the same directions, although you can avoid crossing the town center if before reaching Ciutadella, at the last traffic circle on the southern ring road, you take the left turn onto the lighthouse road.
You can also get there by public transport by taking the Ciutadella – Cap d’ Artrutx – Son Bosch line, only active in high season, or on foot, on the Ciutadella – Cap de Artrutx stage of the Camí de Cavalls, with an extension of about 13.2 km.
If you prefer to go by boat, and you are looking for a place to enjoy a spectacular sunset, the Artrutx Lighthouse is your place. Its landscape offers spectacular views of the sunset over the Mediterranean Sea. If you are lucky the atmosphere is clear, you can make out Mallorca on the horizon.
Services near the Artrutx Lighthouse
In the lighthouse itself we will find a restaurant with privileged views thanks to its exclusive location. Make your reservation if you want to go in summer, because it is usually full every day in high season and only has dinner service. We recommend wearing something with a sleeve or a jacket to keep you warm when the sun goes down, because the wind can blow and, being so close to the sea, the humidity will make the thermal sensation less.
If you want another option where to have dinner or lunch, just 700 m from the lighthouse you will find a wide list of restaurants, located near Cala’n bosch, such as Bahía Restaurante, Tropicana, Mestral, Restaurante Aquarium or Asador On Egin.
What to see near the Artrutx Lighthouse
Although it is not the busiest area of Menorca, if you like photography or painting, you can approach camera in hand and shoot, draw or paint the characteristic landscape full of charm and nostalgia. Many people come in summer to enjoy the sunsets accompanied by their partners or friends, if this is your case, we recommend that you wear appropriate footwear because if you are going to be located on the rocks, access will not be easy or comfortable.
If you are interested in diving or snorkeling, you can go by boat to Cap d’ Artrutx and discover the marine biodiversity of the area, but be careful, because it is an area of passage of boats and not all comply with the rules and safety distances, in fact, in 2020 a rental boat without a license capsized as a result of the sorpasso of another larger boat. Fortunately, there were no injuries, but it is important to follow the rules for everyone’s safety.
The location of the lighthouse so close to a housing development makes it possible to organize a complete plan. Nearby is the Cala en Bosch, spend the day at the beach, enjoy swimming, watch the sunset at the lighthouse and dine in the restaurants near the urbanization. Perfect to squeeze and discover all the nooks and crannies of an island that makes everyone who visits it fall in love.
How to get to Artrutx Lighthouse by boat?
To reach Cala Santandria by boat, we must leave the port of Mahón heading SE. We will sail along the coast, leaving Illa del Rei to port.
We will continue out to the open sea, leaving the Punta de Sant Carles lighthouse to starboard.
Following the coastline in a southerly direction we will pass the outcrops of Na Girada and Punta Rafalet. We will continue skirting the island, which will take us in a SW direction and leave Punta Prima and Punta dels Marbres to starboard. At this point we will have the Illa de l’Aire on our port side.
Following the coastline, we will head in a NW direction and ascend passing Cabo Binibeca, Illot d’en Marçal, Cap d’en Font, Cap de ses Penyes, Illot de Binicodrell, Punta de Macarella, Punta des Tambors… until we reach Cap d’Artrutx (at the SW end of the island).
It is there where we will see the silhouette of the Faro d’Artrutx on the horizon.
Do you want to go to Artrutx Lighthouse by boat?
