The president and director of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB), Francesc Antich and Jorge Nasarre, visited the recently reopened exhibition of maritime signals at the Portopí lighthouse. Both followed the explanations of the guides, who accompanied them throughout the tour.

After a few months of preparation, the exhibition has some interesting new features, such as the restored lantern of the Llebeig lighthouse, which can be seen at the entrance to the exhibition, and a video showing details of the restoration and replacement of this same lantern.

The reopening of the space coincides with the 150th anniversary of the APB, a year of celebration and projection into the future that aims to raise the public’s awareness of the port areas.

Visits to the lighthouse

The Portopí lighthouse is located in a restricted access area, so visits require booking. Free visits can be arranged from Wednesday to Friday from 10 am to 3 pm and from 4 pm to 7 pm and on Saturdays from 10 am to 3 pm through this link or at fardeportopi@portsdebalears.com / 662 418 163. 

In 2004, the APB opened the doors of the Portopí lighthouse to the public, one of the most characteristic constructions in the port of Palma, a symbol of the city and of the history of maritime communications in the Balearic Islands. That year the Portopí lighthouse was converted into a cultural space to permanently house the exhibition of maritime signals that shows visitors the fascinating world of lighthouses.

The exhibition occupies the space of the former lighthouse keeper's two-storey house and introduces visitors to the world of maritime signalling, familiarising them with the specific terminology. There is also a collection of optics from 2nd to 6th order, different rotating machines and an explanation of the evolution of maritime lighting along the Balearic coastal areas. Finally, the exhibition invites us to travel back in time to learn about the living conditions of the old lighthouse keepers and their families living in extremely isolated places.