The lighthouse is a near-universal symbol of safety and guidance that has helped mariners find their way home since ancient times. Although they are gradually outliving their usefulness, they are still epic monuments to human ingenuity and to their own resilience. Because August 7th is National Lighthouse Day in the U.S., we decided to share some amazing lighthouse photos with our readers. Ancient mariners were often guided home by bonfires built on hilltops, which were later elevated and evolved into lighthouses. These gradually grew taller and stronger and moved closer to the sea. Most lighthouses currently still standing are marvels of practical and resilient architecture and engineering, brushing off the worst that the seas have to offer. While their guiding beacons may soon cease to sweep across the coastal night sky, we can still appreciate how beautiful and epic these wonderful buildings look. Cast-Iron Lighthouse, Whiteford, UK Phare du Petit Minou, Brest, France Frozen St. Joseph North Pier Lighthouse, Michigan, USA Porto, Portugal Victoria Beach Lighthouse (Built In 1926), California, USA Viavelez, Asturias, Spain Lighthouse Of Talacre, Wales, UK San Esteban De Pravia, Spain Schleswig-Holstein, Germany Andros Island, Greece Holyhead, Anglesey, Wales Lighthouse Of Fastnet Rock, Ireland Lighthouse in Beagle Channel, Argentina/Chile The Lange Nelle Lighthouse, Ostend, Belgium Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, USA Santander, Cantabria, Spain Stångholmen in Lysekil, Sweden St Mary’s Lighthouse, Bait Island, UK Kermorvan Lighthouse, Bretagne, France Newhaven Breakwater Lighthouse, East Sussex, England Portland Head Light, Maine, USA Mouro Island Lighthouse (Built In 1860), Spain Brest, France Mouro Island Lighthouse (Built In 1860), Spain Molnes Lighthouse, Norway Porto, Portugal Lighthouse And Aurora-Filled Sky, Iceland Old Scituate Lighthouse (Built In 1810), Massachusetts, USA