There’s no “new lighthouse built in 1990” in the sense of a traditional tower — but rather a modern automated beacon / light station on a two-storey building next to the old Delimara lighthouse.
Full Details on the “1990” Delimara Lighthouse / Light Station
The “lighthouse” built (or put into service) in 1990 at Delimara is not a masonry tower like the 1850s lighthouse, but a more modern two-storey masonry building that serves as a beacon / light station.
It stands adjacent to (near) the historic 1850s lighthouse, on Delimara Point, southern tip of Malta, near Marsaxlokk.
It is built on the same Delimara peninsula, but not exactly the same tower as the old lighthouse.
The building is rectangular / quadrangular, with two storeys.
It has observation windows (i.e., lookout / control use).
On its roof there are radars and antennae for communications / coastal traffic control. (
Masonry construction. (Din l-Art Ħelwa technical sheet)
The newer beacon has a focal height of 35 m.
Its signal: two white flashes every 12 seconds (“Fl (2) W 12s”).
Range: 18 nautical miles.
According to the University of Malta lighthouse survey, the automated light installed in 1990 replaced the old tower and had the above characteristics.
Designed for coastal traffic control as well as navigational aid. The presence of radar / comms gear suggests a modern purpose beyond purely a light beacon.
It replaced the older Delimara lighthouse as the active light for that point.
The old lighthouse (mid-19th century) was deactivated around 1990 when the new automated light came into service.
According to the French Wikipedia: Admiralty number E2070, NGA number 10564.
According to general lighthouse lists, this is “Delimara Point Light (modern)” / 2-storey station.
The modern building/light is active. (Wikipedia lists it as “active lighthouse.”)
It is not open as a historic lighthouse tower (since it’s not really a traditional lighthouse): its purpose is more technical / navigational.
The older lighthouse (1850s) still exists right next to it.
The historic lighthouse was handed over to Din l-Art Ħelwa and restored; the keeper’s quarters have been converted into two apartments.
The modern 1990 tower and traditional lighthouse coexist: one active navigational light, one heritage lighthouse.
Interpretation & Significance
The 1990 “Delimara Lighthouse” is really a modern automated light station rather than a romantic “tower lighthouse.”
Its construction reflects changes in lighthouse technology: rising automation, removing the need for a traditional lighthouse keeper, and combining navigational light function with other maritime control roles (radar, communications).
The presence of this modern beacon allowed the historic 1855 lighthouse to be preserved and restored as a heritage building (rather than being demolished).
It’s a good example of how heritage lighthouses are often kept alive via parallel technical installations, rather than being fully replaced and destroyed.
