Name and Location

The Faro de Vidio, officially known as the Faro de Cabo Vidio, is an active coastal lighthouse located in Asturias, northern Spain. It is situated on the western coast of Cantabrian Sea cliffs at Cape Vidio (Cabo Vidio). The address is Carr. Cabo Vidío, 8, 33156 Oviñana (Cudillero), Asturias, Spain, and its coordinates are 43°35′35.7″ N, 6°14′34.8″ W.

Construction and History

The Faro de Vidio was constructed in the early 20th century, although the exact inauguration date is not widely documented. Its purpose is to mark Cape Vidio's high cliffs and dangerous shoals for north-bound and south-bound shipping. The lighthouse has no specific listing but is managed under Spain's national lighthouse network (Comisión de Faros).

Architecture and Materials

The structure of the Faro de Vidio is a masonry tower, consisting of a cylindrical white tower with a gallery and lantern attached to a single-story keeper's house, which is now unoccupied. The focal height is 101 meters above mean sea level.

Light and Navigation

The light characteristic of the Faro de Vidio is Fl W 5 s (one white flash every 5 seconds; flash duration 0.3 s, eclipse 4.7 s), with a nominal range of 25 nautical miles. The Admiralty reference is D 1641.

Accessibility and Visiting

The grounds and coastal viewpoint are open year-round, free of charge, but the tower and optic enclosure are closed to visitors. To reach the lighthouse, drive the local road CU-8 (Carretera Cabo Vidío) from Oviñana or Cudillero, then walk across marked trails to the cliff edge.

Notable Views and Landscape

The surrounding landscape is dramatic, featuring 100-meter-high sea cliffs, rocky headlands, Atlantic surf, and coastal heathland. The lighthouse offers panoramic vistas of the Cantabrian coastline, seabird colonies on nearby islets, and golden-sand coves (such as Playa del Silencio to the east).

Anecdotes and Folklore

Local guides link Cape Vidio's name to old coastal forges ("vidrios" in medieval dialect) used by metalworkers, possibly tied to historic smuggling. Storm-watchers prize the site for observing winter gales, with tall waves occasionally sweeping the lower fence lines at the cliff's edge.

Technical and Operational Details

The Faro de Vidio is fully automated, with no resident keeper since the late 20th century. The managing authority is Spain's Autoridad Portuaria (Port Authority) under the Dirección General de la Marina Mercante. The lighthouse is remotely monitored, with routine maintenance visits by lighthouse service crews.

Further Information

For further reading and references, consult the Spanish Wikipedia article "Faro de Cabo Vidio" (es:Faro de Cabo Vidio), Wikidata (Q3757265), Admiralty List of Lights – Volume D (reference D 1641), "Faros de la Costa Cantábrica" by Asociación Española de Faros, and OpenStreetMap node node/100170985.