Lighthouse at Alcanada
Mallorca has several lighthouses dotted throughout the island. This one is rather picturesquely situated in the Bahdia de Alcudia on the Isla de Alcanada, barely 200 yards from the shore. Alcanada (or Aucanada) is located just north west of Alcudia on the peninsula that separates the Bays of Alcudia and Pollenca. And this part of the coastline seems to have retained much of its ruggedness, having escaped becoming part of the seemingly ever expanding and all encompassing Alcudia resort – so far at least.
Although with the introduction of GPS lighthouses are now becoming increasingly redundant, in the past they were undoubtedly a vital piece of infrastructure that helped to save countless lives. Despite this reliance on technology, thankfully I’ve yet to hear of a ship becoming stuck under a bridge or jammed in a narrow lane. Unlike some cars or trucks whose drivers just blindly follow the mesmeric instructions emanating from their Sat Nav regardless of the evidence of their own eyes. Then again we’ve been sailing a lot longer that we’ve been driving, so perhaps self reliance and common sense has just become second nature to the sailing world.
