The Punta da Barca lighthouse, despite its mythical, legendary and mystical aura (because of its proximity to the Virxe da Barca sanctuary and Pedra de Abalar), the A Coruña Port Authority classifies it as a coastal beacon, at the same level as the Roncudo lighthouse, for example. Incomprehensible, sentimentally speaking, but logical, taking into account purely technical reasons.

The arrival to the lighthouse and the sanctuary is perfectly signposted once we have entered Muxía, so there is no danger of getting lost along the way. The place is full of huge rocks everywhere, as you can see in the photos. Among them, perhaps the most famous is Pedra de Abalar. According to legend, this stone is the sail that pushed the boat in which the Virgin arrived to this coast, because she wanted to encourage the Apostle Santiago in his goal of Christianizing our Galicia. When many people climb on the stone, it sways slightly. I have not verified it personally. Also of great importance is Pedra dos Cadrís (also the remains of the legendary ship), under which anyone who wants to relieve their back pain must pass. I did do this, although without much benefit (one is already getting old…)

The hermitage was built, as in many other cases, to Christianize a place where previously pagan cults were held. The current sanctuary, from the 18th century, burned down in December 2013 probably due to lightning, losing altarpieces and valuable images.

The lighthouse was designed at the beginning of the 20th century as a third-order signal, which would mark the entrance to the Camariñas estuary. In the 1926 Beacon Plan for said estuary, its measurements were specified.

ACTIVATION QO-100 05-12-2022

DATA OF LIGHTHOUSE

International Code: D- 1737
ARHLS Code:  SPA-210
Height above or ground: 13 meters
Light characteristic: Oc 4 s.L3 Oc1
Range: 10 nautical miles
Grid Locator: IN53JC
Coordenates:  43º 06' 47.0" N - 9º 13' 09.9" W