This lighthouse is destined to mark the Artabro Arch in the north with the complement of another light of lower rank that is installed in Cape Prioriño, but with the sole function of signaling the entrance to the Ferrol estuary.
He had to carry out the project according to the simple generalized models for the lights of lower rank, the engineer Celedonio de Uribe.
It was lit in March 1854, beginning to shine with a fixed white light, emitted by a third order catadioptric apparatus whose actual reach was approximately 15 miles, depending on the state of the atmosphere and the height of the observer.
It suffered numerous damages due to the temporary ones so it was also the object of successive reforms carried out by Rafael de la Cerda and Salvador López Miño.
In 1974 it was electrified by improving the light signal up to 22 miles.
In 1993 it was left without torreros and in 1995 it was completely renewed its lighting installation and, in addition, it was monitored to be controlled by computer in the Control Center of the port of Ferrol.
Curiosities, myths and legends
In order to carry out the defense plan of the Naval Base of Ferrol Shipyards, the dictator Primo de Ribera built the battery of Prior coast, now in ruins.
Included in the defensive complex were the impressive Vickers 381 English engineering guns, with an effective range of 35 km and an internal caliber of 38.1 cm. This allowed the launching of projectiles of perforating steel up to 885 kg, with a load of 18 kg of TNT .
Colossal and fully mechanized weapons placed in elevated areas and their ¾ parts underground, only the barrel tube of almost 18 m in length was visible. It was necessary for 15 to 20 men to function.
