Basco Lighthouse

Lighthouse in the Batanes, Philippines

Lighthouse

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Basco Lighthouse is a lighthouse in the town of Basco in Batanes, the northernmost province in the Philippines.^[2]^[1]^[3] Located in Naidi Hills in Barangay San Antonio, the lush green hills and the open sea provide a beautiful backdrop for the lighthouse. The place can easily be reached by a 1.2-km (3/4 mile) hike from the Port of Basco.

History

Basco Lighthouse is one of the three lighthouses proposed by former Congressman Florencio Abad of Batanes, not only as working lighthouses, but possibly as tourist attractions.^[4] The other two are in Sabtang and Mahatao. The Basco structure was the first completed in 2003.

The location chosen is where the first lighthouse of Basco was built. It was also the site of the American period telegraph facilities that connected Batanes with the central government until it was destroyed by the Japanese Imperial Army bombings at the start of World War II.^[5] A few of the buildings survived and some have been converted into businesses like a café - resulting from the area becoming popular because of the lighthouse.^[6]

Architecture

The structure is a 6-story building with a gallery or viewing deck on the fifth floor. Located next to the 66 feet (20 m) tower is a dwelling of vernacular architecture. Traditional Ivatan houses are made with stone or rubble masonry.

The viewing deck is a perfect location to view the whole of Batan Island (the main island where Basco is located) from end to end, including Mount Iraya.^[7] One can also have a clear view of Sabtang Island in the south of Basco and Itbayat Island to the north.

References

^ ^a ^b National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, "Pub.112 List of Lights, 2009" p.179. U.S. Government Printing Office, 2009.
^ "Light Stations of Northern Luzon Archived 2011-10-07 at the Wayback Machine". Philippine Coast Guard. Retrieved on June 29, 2010.
^ Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of the Philippines: Southwest Luzon". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
^ Alconis, Necitas G. "Lighthouse in Naidi Hills nearing completion Archived July 27, 2011, at the Wayback Machine". Batanes Online. Retrieved on June 29, 2010.
^ "Places to See Archived August 30, 2009, at the Wayback Machine". Official Website of the Provincial Government of Batanes. Retrieved on June 29, 2010
^ Claire Algarme (April 28, 2010). "First Time in Batan Island, Batanes". First-Time Travels. Retrieved on 2010-06-30.
^ "Naidi Lighthouse, Basco, Batanes. Pasyalera. Retrieved on June 29, 2010.