aeeble

This black-and-white lighthouse is a landmark of the island of Madau – the Madau Lighthouse. Madau Island is located about 3.8 nautical miles north of Kibei Island. Due to its shape resembling a carpenter's marking tool called a "tuxian," it was originally named "Tuxian Island." Later, its name was changed to "Madau Island" due to a homophone. Among the inhabited islands of the Penghu Archipelago, Madau Island is the northernmost, and is also known as "Northern Island"; as a result, the former name of the Madau Lighthouse was "Northern Island Lighthouse." The construction of this lighthouse is closely related to the dangerous underwater topography surrounding it. The Penghu Archipelago is full of strong currents, and fishermen have passed down a well-known saying: "The First Current, The Second Roar, The Third West Flow." The first "First Current" mentioned refers to the northern DaTauYiu of Madau Island. This area, along with the nearby ErTauYiu, forms a treacherous sea area full of reefs and powerful currents, frequently causing maritime disasters. Therefore, the ruling Japanese authorities at that time built this lighthouse to guide ships safely. To prevent corrosion from wind and waves, the tower's base was constructed with bricks, while the tower body was made of cast iron, a material resistant to rust. Its exterior is marked with distinctive black-and-white horizontal stripes acting as a striking warning marker. The surrounding buildings are the residences and offices for the lighthouse attendants. Although the interior of the lighthouse is not open to the public, simply appreciating this impressive structure from the surrounding area is already a rewarding experience.