May 24, 2009

Corregidor: The Spanish lighthouse

Even during the Spanish colonial period, Corregidor Island figured prominently in the history and defense of Manila because of its location at the mouth of Manila Bay. The Spaniards used the island as a fortress of defense, a penal institution, a signal outpost and a station for customs inspection. 'Corregidor' comes from the Spanish word corregir which means 'to correct.' None of the Spanish structures survived the American era and the wars, but the Spanish lighthouse, originally built in 1836, was reconstructed on its original site. It stands on the highest point of the island, which is 191 meters (628 feet) above sea level, and my husband says that the views from the top of the lighthouse were fantastic. I'm afraid that I didn't bother. After a day of walking, I couldn't bring myself to climbing up a steep, narrow, spiral staircase anymore. The little red speck up there beside the door is my husband waving for the camera. The base of the lighthouse is a small museum, and the signpost outside lists distances (in kilometers) to different cities around the world: Manila 26.6, Hong Kong 693, Singapore 1497, Tokyo 1719, Sydney 3044, Cairo 5704, Madrid 6672, San Francisco 6972.

Spanish lighthouse on Corregidor Island

CORREGIDOR ISLAND SERIES #5 OF 7

15 comments:

  1. LowellMay 24, 2009 at 9:19 PM

    I don't blame you for not wanting to walk up those stairs...

    But I can imagine the view. This is quite an impressive memorial and I'm glad it was reconstructed.

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  2. Clueless in BostonMay 24, 2009 at 9:23 PM

    Your husband matches the red of the building. I haven't seen a lighthouse like that before. It has been beautifully restored. I like the windows in the shape of crosses.

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  3. Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.comMay 24, 2009 at 9:24 PM

    Fascinating series on Corregidor. Thank you very much. It helps bring home, and up to date, stories that some of us have heard (or seen on the History Channel). My father was in the South Pacific during World War II, and it changed his life (and our family's lives), as he stayed in the Navy for 20 years and we grew up in Navy communities, moving every couple of years.

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  4. Cezar and LéiaMay 24, 2009 at 10:14 PM

    The distance to Joinville, Brazil is approximately 18.300 km!
    Have a nice week!
    God bless you
    Léia

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  5. JamesMay 24, 2009 at 11:08 PM

    I've always been facinated by lighthouses. I used to want to live in one. The funny thing is i've never been in one. lol. It's great that they rebuilt this one.
    Too bad you didn't give your camera to hubby so he could get pictures of the view.

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  6. melanieMay 25, 2009 at 3:33 AM

    un phare avec des croix ! C'est original !

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  7. LoisMay 25, 2009 at 3:58 AM

    Beautiful shot Hilda! I love the cross shaped windows!

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  8. VPMay 25, 2009 at 4:11 AM

    I love lighthouses and this is a very particular one with those cross shaped windows.
    Happy to meet your husband in this spectacular setting, and CiB is right: he matches the red of the lighthouse.

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  9. Carlos LorenzoMay 25, 2009 at 5:15 AM

    Impressive lighthouse. It looks like a small fortress. Your husband helped for reference. The white and red combination is cool. I wish I could take a look on the island from there.

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  10. juliaMay 25, 2009 at 6:03 AM

    Better designed than others i've seen.

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  11. GeorgeMay 25, 2009 at 8:44 AM

    I hope your husband got some pictures for you from the top of the lighthouse. Your picture of the lighthouse itself is very good -- it's a nice looking building.

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  12. Julie ScottsdaleDailyPhoto.comMay 25, 2009 at 11:57 AM

    this is a very interesting and unique lighthouse. I have never seen crosses for windows like this in a lighthouse. I like lighthouses and they usually have nice views on top, as long as it is not windy or rainy. It would be a tough life to live my yourself in a lighthouse though

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  13. OlivierMay 25, 2009 at 2:41 PM

    surprenante architecture, avec ce phare et ces fenêtres en croix.
    amazing architecture, with this headlight and these windows in crucifix.

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  14. Leif HagenMay 27, 2009 at 1:13 AM

    Unique lighthouse - nice shot!

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  15. escapeMay 28, 2009 at 1:24 AM

    wow! it's my first time to see a spanish lighthouse with a cross! are the windows made of capiz? beautiful!

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