灯塔在我们的日常生活中,实在是谈不上有什麽关联更说不上有什麽渊源的一项地标。但在过去的年代,陆路依赖马匹,水路则靠船隻,远洋的人们返家时,即使是黑夜,仍不会弄错归途的方向,这一切有赖于灯塔-安全及指引方向的象徵。在电力尚未普及前,是在山顶上点燃火焰作为照明及方向引领,后来渐演变成灯塔。
而由于现代的导航设备已经非常先进,人为操作的灯塔数量大大减少,全世界只剩下 1,500 个使用中的灯塔。即使许多灯塔已失去其实用性,但它们所蕴含的历史及意义可供我们作为遗迹来欣赏。在美国,8 月 7 日还是全国灯塔日呢!
Phare du Petit Minou, Brest, France, Image credits: Alexander Riek
Cast-Iron Lighthouse, Whiteford, UK, Image credits: Matthew Jones
Victoria Beach Lighthouse (Built In 1926), California, USA, Image credits: Dave Gaylord
Viavelez, Asturias, Spain, Image credits: Manu Díaz
Frozen St. Joseph North Pier Lighthouse, Michigan, USA, Image credit: Thomas Zakowski
Image credits: Charles Anderson
Lighthouse Of Talacre, Wales, UK, Image credits: Iain McConnell
San Esteban De Pravia, Spain, Image credits: Saghani
Holyhead, Anglesey, Wales, Image credits: Joe Daniel Price
Lighthouse Of Fastnet Rock, Ireland, Image credits: Fergal O’Callaghan
The Lange Nelle Lighthouse, Ostend, Belgium, Image credits: Piet Flour