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The Delimara Lighthouse is an active lighthouse on the island of Malta. It is the second lighthouse to be built on the Delimara point near Marsaxlokk at the southern end of the island. The original lighthouse which was built in the mid 19th century still exists alongside the modern rectangular tower which opened in 1990. This newer two storey building has observation windows, with roof mounted radar and aerials, and is used for coastal traffic control.〔 The lighthouse boasts breath-taking scenes of Marsascala and Birżebbuġa which is found opposite the lighthouse. It is also a stone’s throw away from Saint Peter’s Pool that is famous for its natural beauty. The original 1850s lighthouse is still present and it is enriched by a contemporary rectangular two storey tower that was inaugurated in 1990. As might be expected the modern building is equipped with aerials, roof mounted radar and surveillance windows. Its function is to control coastal traffic. == History == The first lighthouse opened in 1855. It was constructed at the same time as the Giordan Lighthouse, which marks the northern end of the island of Gozo. Both were built during the time of British rule on the islands. The initial light system produced a constant red light, using lamps powered by olive oil. This was replaced in 1896 by a rotating optic system supplied by the Chance Brothers of Smethwick, which used a rotating table coupled with a Fresnel lens to produce an alternating red and white flash every thirty seconds. The apparatus was powered by a weight slowly descending from the lantern room, which drove a clockwork mechanism turning the table at a set rotation. It was lit using lamps powered by paraffin, which was stored in a copper tank with ornate brass fittings.〔 The light continued in operation, until 1990 when it was deactivated. The building which consists of an octagonal 22m tower with a two storey house was found to be in a poor state of repair, and was handed over to Din l-Art Helwa for renovation.〔 Throughout the years the Delimara Lighthouse acted as a beacon to the Maltese shipping industry. It is also considered as a landmark of British architecture. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア(Wikipedia)』 ■ウィキペディアで「Delimara Lighthouse」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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