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Almarin to restore the dome of the Avilés lighthouse

The Port Authority of Avilés (APA) has awarded Almarin the project for the replacement of the dome of the Avilés Lighthouse, located at Punta del Castillo on the Nieva peninsula (Gozón municipality), on the eastern bank of the Avilés estuary. The works will include dismantling the existing lantern, transferring it to the Port Authority’s facilities, and manufacturing and installing a new stainless steel dome.

A comprehensive conservation plan

This is a project of great relevance, both for its technical complexity and for the lighthouse’s heritage and symbolic value for navigation along the Asturian coast. The intervention aims to ensure the protection of the lantern and extend its useful life through a modern, resistant, and environmentally respectful solution. The project reflects the commitment of the Port Authority of Avilés to maritime heritage conservation, navigational safety, and the sustainable modernization of its infrastructures.

This contract is part of a broader APA project that includes the conservation and rehabilitation of the lighthouse building itself, the annex, and its surroundings. It is an integral intervention in the architectural complex of this lighthouse, co-financed with FEDER funds (60%) through IDEA, which will also address the needs of occasional public activities compatible with the maritime signal.

Historic lighthouse projects

In 2015, Almarin carried out a pioneering project of similar characteristics for the Port Authority of Barcelona, consisting of the replacement of three lanterns: two at the entrances to the Port of Barcelona and one at the Cap de Creus Lighthouse. The latter posed a particular challenge as it was a century-old lantern of great historical value. The entire process was documented in a video:

As in the case of Cap de Creus, the lantern removed from the Avilés Lighthouse will be restored and preserved for later exhibition, thus contributing to the preservation of maritime heritage. Almarin has a specialized team in marine aids to navigation works and floating pontoon infrastructures, enabling the company to undertake projects of this nature with full technical and operational guarantees.

The Avilés Lighthouse

The Avilés Lighthouse, also popularly known as the San Juan Lighthouse, was first lit in 1863 with an olive oil lamp. The installation was electrified in 1940 and modernized in 1957 with the incorporation of an aeronautical-maritime lantern. Spain boasts a rich collection of historic lighthouses, among which the Tower of Hercules in A Coruña stands out, considered the oldest working lighthouse in the world, of Roman origin and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.