The lighthouse is a near-universal symbol of safety and guidance that has helped mariners find their way home since ancient times. Although they are gradually outliving their usefulness, they are still epic monuments to human ingenuity and their own resilience. Because August 7th is National Lighthouse Day in the U.S., we decided to share some amazing pictures of lighthouses with our readers.
Ancient mariners were often guided home by bonfires built on hilltops, which were later elevated and evolved into lighthouses. And since there were no actual ports back then, the blazes showed the safest way to the shore. The structures gradually grew taller and stronger and moved closer to the sea. Most lighthouses currently still standing are marvels of practical and resilient architecture and engineering, brushing off the worst that the oceans have to offer. While their guiding beacons may soon cease to sweep across the coastal night sky, we can still appreciate the beautiful and epic pictures of lighthouses.
Scroll down below for our collection of lighthouse pictures - from ancient to modern ones; some standing above peaceful waters, others continuing amidst the wrath of oceans. Even if you don't care about these buildings at all, these images of lighthouses are truly impressive nonetheless.
Cast-Iron Lighthouse, Whiteford, UK
Image credits: Matthew Jones
Phare du Petit Minou, Brest, France
Image credits: Alexander Riek
Frozen St. Joseph North Pier Lighthouse, Michigan, USA
Image credit: Thomas Zakowski
Image credits: Charles Anderson
Porto, Portugal
Image credits: Veselin Malinov
Victoria Beach Lighthouse (Built In 1926), California, USA
Image credits: Dave Gaylord
Viavelez, Asturias, Spain
Image credits: Manu Díaz
Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
Image credits: Holger Schmitt
Lighthouse Of Talacre, Wales, UK
Image credits: Iain McConnell
Andros Island, Greece
Image credits: Mary Kay
San Esteban De Pravia, Spain
Image credits: Saghani
Holyhead, Anglesey, Wales
Image credits: Joe Daniel Price
Lighthouse in Beagle Channel, Argentina/Chile
Image credits: Skel Shizuko
Lighthouse Of Fastnet Rock, Ireland
Image credits: Fergal O'Callaghan
The Lange Nelle Lighthouse, Ostend, Belgium
Image credits: Piet Flour
Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, USA
Image credits: Ratul Maiti
Santander, Cantabria, Spain
Image credits: Marina Cano
Stångholmen in Lysekil, Sweden
Image credits: Henrik Aleborg
St Mary's Lighthouse, Bait Island, UK
Image credits: Steven Walden
Kermorvan Lighthouse, Bretagne, France
Image credits: Nicolas Rottiers
Newhaven Breakwater Lighthouse, East Sussex, England
Image credits: Peter
Portland Head Light, Maine, USA
Image credits: Yegor Malinovskii
Mouro Island Lighthouse (Built In 1860), Spain
Image credits: Jokin Romero
Brest, France
Image credits: Stefan Cruysberghs
Mouro Island Lighthouse (Built In 1860), Spain
Image credits: Juan Carlos Ruiz
Molnes Lighthouse, Norway
Image credits: freeezzzz
Old Scituate Lighthouse (Built In 1810), Massachusetts, USA
Image credits: Francisco Marty
Porto, Portugal
Image credits: Veselin Malinov
Lighthouse And Aurora-Filled Sky, Iceland
Image credits: Gunnar Gestur