Lighthouse of Cape Maleas

Maritime horror stories are part of the reputation of Cape Maleas, as many ships were wrecked in their attempt to pass it -- hence the nickname Xylochaftis, from the Greek words for 'wood' and 'gobble up.' The construction of a lighthouse at this point was considered very important for the safety of passing boats, and in 1860 the construction of the stone lighthouse began, to be completed in 1883. With a tower height of 15 meters and a focal height of 40 meters, it has been lighting up the Myrtoan Sea at the southern tip of the Peloponnese since then. It is one of the best known lighthouses in Greece and internationally. In 2006 the lighthouse was declared a listed monument, and in 2009 it was restored by the Aikaterini Laskaridi Foundation.