Lighthouses of Northern Portugal

Portugal has a distinguished maritime history: Portuguese sailors launched and led the European age of discovery, and Portuguese ships have been finding their way home from the far corners of the globe for about 600 years. It's not surprising that lighthouses have played an important role in Portuguese culture, and that they are treasured national monuments today. This page has information on the lighthouses of the northern section of the Portuguese mainland (the districts north of the Lisbon area). The part of this region north of Porto is called the Costa Verde (Green Coast), and the part south of Porto is called the Costa de Prata (Coast of Silver). Lighthouses of the Lisbon area and southern coasts are on the Southern Portugal page. Lighthouses of the Azores and Madeira (islands discovered and settled by the early Portuguese explorers) are also on separate pages. The Portuguese word for a lighthouse is farol, plural faróis. Lighthouses in Portugal are owned by the navy (Marinha de Portugal) and operated by the navy's lighthouse directorate (Direcção de Faróis). ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. Admiralty numbers are from volume D of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA List numbers are from Publication 113. General Sources Faróis de Portugal From August 2003 to July 2006, the Portuguese Navy's magazine Revista da Armada profiled one Portuguese lighthouse each month. This page has links to the individual articles. Online List of Lights: Portugal A large collection of photos posted by Alexander Trabas. Lighthouses in Portugal Excellent aerial photos posted by Marinas.com. Along the Coast of Portugal Photos of 20 light stations posted by Pete Amass. Phares d'Europe Photos posted by Alain Guyomard and Robert Carceller. Leuchttürme Portugals auf historischen Postkarten Historic postcard images collected by Klaus Huelse.

Farol da Cabo Mondego, December 2008 Creative Commons photo by Alexandre Albuquerque

Costa Verde Lighthouses

Viana do Castelo District Lighthouses

Insúa

Date unknown (station established 1886). Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); flash every 4 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 7 m (23 ft) 1-story square equipment room with a solar-powered post light on the roof. Trabas has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. The lighthouse is built within the mid 17th century Fortaleza de Insúa. Located on a tiny islet on the south side of the entrance to the Rio Minho, which is the border between Spain and Portugal, just off the coastal N13 highway about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) southwest of Caminha. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS POR-028; Admiralty D2002; NGA 3076.

* Montedor 1908. Active; focal plane 103 m (338 ft); two white flashes every 9.7 s. 28 m (92 ft) square stone tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a large 1-story U-shaped stone keeper's complex. 3° Fresnel lens. The building is unpainted; lantern painted red. Fog horn (three 2 s blasts every 25 s). A Navy photo is at right, Trabas has an excellent photo, Carlos Olmo has a closeup, Huelse has a postcard view that shows the design of the building well, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. This northernmost major Portuguese lighthouse is located on a headland at Montedor, just off the coastal N13 highway about 8 km (5 mi) north of Viana do Castelo. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS POR-031; Admiralty D2008; NGA 3096. * Viana do Castelo Outer Breakwater Date unknown. Active; focal plane about 12 m (39 ft); red flash every 3 s. 10 m (33 ft) round concrete tower with gallery but no lantern, painted with red and white horizontal bands. Trabas has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the long outer breakwater of Viana do Castelo. Apparently accessible by walking the breakwater (it's a long walk). ARLHS POR-040; Admiralty D2012.8; NGA 3099. * Forte Santiago da Barra (Viana do Castelo Range Front) 1888. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); red light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 6 m (20 ft) round cylindrical cast iron (?) tower with lantern and gallery. Tower painted red with narrow white vertical stripes; lantern and gallery painted white. Trabas has a good photo, Abel Queirós has a fine closeup, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. The two Viana do Castelo range lights are typical French tourelles. Located within the walls of the Forte Santiago da Barra on the north side of the Rio Lima entrance in Viana do Castelo. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS POR-017; Admiralty D2012; NGA 3100. * Nossa Senhora da Agonia (Viana do Castelo Range Rear) 1888. Active; focal plane 32 m (105 ft); red light, 4 s on, 2 s off. Approx. 18 m (59 ft) round cylindrical cast iron (?) tower with lantern and gallery. Tower painted red with narrow white vertical stripes; lantern and gallery painted white. Trabas has a good photo, Abel Queirós has another photo, and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse is listed at 9 m (29 ft) by NGA, but from the photo it is obviously much taller. Located adjacent to the 18th century church of Nossa Senhora da Agonia in Viana do Castelo, about 500 m (0.3 mi) north of the front light. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS POR-054; Admiralty D2012.1; NGA 3104.

Farol de Montedor Marinha de Portugal photo

* Viana do Castelo Cabadelo Breakwater

Date unknown. Active; characteristics unknown. 6 m (20 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with gallery but no lantern, painted with green and white horizontal bands. Trabas has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the south breakwater in Viana do Castelo. Accessible by walking the mole. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS POR-100; Admiralty D2012.6.

Braga District Lighthouse
* Esposende (2)

1922 (station established 1866). Active; focal plane 20 m (66 ft); white flash every 5 s. 15 m (49 ft) round cylindrical cast iron tower with lantern and gallery, standing on a round concrete base. Adjoining 2-story keeper's complex. Entire lighthouse painted red; keeper's house is yellow. Trabas has a good photo, another closeup and a view from the sea are available, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. The light station is built partly within the walls of the Forte São João Baptista. Located on the north side of the Rio Cavado entrance at Esposende. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS POR-018; Admiralty D2016; NGA 3128.

Porto District Lighthouses

* [Lapa (Póvoa de Varzim Range Front)] 1857. Inactive since at least the 1960s. The light was established at the church of Nossa Senhora de Lapa. Although the church has what appears to be a lantern at one end, as shown in a Wikipedia photoand a 2007 photo by Feliciano Guimarães, light lists indicate the light was shown atop a skeletal tower next to the church, as seen in a postcard view posted by Huelse. Google has a satellite view. In 1892 the light became the front light of the Póvoa de Varzim entrance range. The light was probably deactivated because new breakwaters made the old range line inappropriate. Located on the waterfront at the harbor of Póvoa de Varzim. Site open. ARLHS POR-075. Regufe (Póvoa de Varzim Range Rear) (2) 1892. Inactive since 2002. 22 m (72 ft) tripod cast iron tower with lantern, gallery, and central cylinder, painted red. 1-story keeper's house (1917). A Navy photo is at right, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view (look for the shadow). Originally the rear light of the Póvoa de Varzim Range, and later operated independently. The design of this lighthouse is unique, and the Navy is justified in calling it uma verdadeira relíquia da arte do ferro (a true relic of the art of iron). The only other iron tripods surviving are the active Cabo San Antonio and Punta Médanos lighthouses in Argentina. The lighthouse was restored and recognized as a historic monument in 1995. Located on the east side of the N13 highway about 600 m (3/8 mi) due east of the front light in Póvoa de Varzim. Site status unknown. ARLHS POR-060; Admiralty D2020; NGA 3156. * Azurara Range Rear Date unknown. Active; 27 m (89 ft); green light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 6 m (20 ft) light mounted atop the gable of a 1-story masonry building, painted with red and white horizontal bands. Trabas has a good photo. The front light is mounted on a post. The range guides ships into the harbor of Vila do Conde. Located somewhere near the Estrada Velha in Azurara, a neighborhood on the south side of Vila do Conde. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS POR-086; Admiralty D2023.1; NGA 3200. * Leça (Boa Nova) 1926. Active; focal plane 57 m (187 ft); three white flashes every 14 s. 46 m (151 ft) white round reinforced concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Lantern painted red. The surrounding 2-story keeper's complex was used as the school for lighthouse keepers from 1926 to 1962. Trabas has a fine closeup photo, Nuno Filipe Coimbra has a good 2006 photo, Huelse has a historic postcard view, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a good satellite view. This lighthouse replaced a smaller lighthouse built in 1916 at Boa Nova, a short distance to the north. Located in Leça da Palmeira, on the north side of Matosinhos, adjacent to a huge petroleum tank farm. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS POR-029; Admiralty D2032; NGA 3236.

Farol do Regufe; Marinha de Portugal photo

Porto de Leixões Quebra-Mar

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 24 m (79 ft); red flash every 5 s. Approx. 18 m (59 ft) round concrete tower with gallery but no lantern. The tower is unpainted. Trabas has a good photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the old north breakwater of the Porto de Leixões, the harbor of the Leça oil terminal. Site and tower closed. ARLHS POR-094; Admiralty D2034; NGA 3240.

Porto de Leixões South Breakwater Date unknown. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); green flash every 4 s. 10 m (33 ft) hexagonal masonry tower with lantern and gallery. The tower is unpainted; the lantern is painted green. Trabas has a good photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the breakwater. Site and tower closed. ARLHS POR-095; Admiralty D2036; NGA 3244. * Felgueiras (Rio Douro North Breakwater) 1886. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); red flash every 5 s. 10 m (33 ft) hexagonal stone tower with lantern and gallery. Tower unpainted; lantern painted red. Fog horn (two 5 s blasts every 30 s). Trabas has a good photo, another photo is available, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. The original lighthouse was a somewhat taller square tower. Located at the end of the breakwater at the north side of the entrance to the Rio Douro and the traditional harbor of Porto. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS POR-070; Admiralty D2046; NGA 3252. ** São Miguel o Anjo 1527. Inactive. Approx. 8 m (26 ft) square cylindrical stone tower attached to a 1-story stone chapel. Google has a satellite view. This ancient lighthouse was built on the order of Miguel da Silva, abbot of the Bendictine monastery of Santo Tirso, to improve navigation across the bar of the Douro and help develop Porto as a commercial rival to Lisbon in trade with the Orient and with northern Europe. The building, constructed by the Italian engineer Francesco de Cremona, is certainly Portugal's oldest lighthouse and one of the few lighthouses surviving from the early days of European expansion and discovery. Located beside the Rua do Passeio Alegre on the old breakwater mole on the north side of the Douro (Rio do Ouro) entrance, just off the waterfront. Site open, building status uncertain. ARLHS POR-078. * [Cantareira Range Front] 1915. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); red light occulting once every 6 s. 6 m (20 ft) post light with a gallery and a small lantern. Tower painted with horizontal red and white bands. Trabas has a photo, and another photo shows the light standing next to the historic church of São Miguel o Anjo. Located beside the Rua do Passeio Alegre on the old breakwater mole on the north side of the Douro (Rio do Ouro) entrance, just off the waterfront. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS POR-069; D2048; NGA 3256.

Farol de Felgueiras, July 2007 Creative Commons photo by Bernt Rostad

Costa de Prata Lighthouses

Aveiro District Lighthouses

Aveiro North Mole Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); red flash every 3 s. 6 m (20 ft) round, bluntly conical tower with gallery but no lantern, painted with red and white horizontal bands. Trabas has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. The north mole is the main breakwater for Aveiro. Located at the end of the mole. Site and tower closed. ARLHS POR-002; Admiralty D2057; NGA 3276. * Aveiro 1893. Active; focal plane 66 m (217 ft); four white flashes every 13 s; in addition a green flash every 4 s is displayed at 54 m (177 ft). 62 m (203 ft) tower with lantern and gallery, rising from the center of a 2-story keeper's house. 3° Fresnel lens (1937). Round tower painted with red and white horizontal bands; lantern painted red. A photo by Mário Pires is at right, Trabas has an excellent photo, Guyomard and Carceller have photos by José Alves, and Google has a satellite view. This is the tallest Portuguese lighthouse. Standing directly on a barrier beach, it is exposed to Atlantic storms. A great storm in 1935 swept away the fog signal building (seen in Huelse's historic postcard view), and sea walls have now been built to protect the lighthouse. The tower is unusual in having a elevator, installed in 1958, that rises through the middle of the spiral stairway. Located on the south side of the entrance to the Ria de Aveiro in Barra, the seaside neighborhood of Aveiro. Site open; tower seems to be open by arrangement. ARLHS POR-101; Admiralty D2056; NGA 3272. Aveiro South Mole Date unknown. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); green flash every 3 s. 12 m (39 ft) round, bluntly conical tower with a cylindrical extension and gallery but no lantern, painted with green and white horizontal bands. Trabas has a photo, a good closeup is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the mole, only a few feet from the lighthouse; Site and tower closed. ARLHS POR-085; Admiralty D2058; NGA 3280. * Aveiro Range Rear Date unknown (1980s?). Active; focal plane 20 m (66 ft); green flash every 3 s. Approx. 15 m (49 ft) round tower with rounded top and gallery, painted white with narrow black horizontal bands. The light is displayed from a post mounted on the gallery. Trabas has a photo, Christian Ferraz has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. This tower was built early in the 1800s as a signal tower. There is no evidence it was used as a lighthouse until the range light was installed, sometime between 1967 and 1987. The tower is built within the walls of the ancient Forte da Barra. Located near the harbor in Gafanha da Nazaré. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS POR-084; Admiralty D2059.1.

Farol de Aveiro, July 2008 Creative Commons photo by Mário Pires

Coimbra District Lighthouses
* Cabo Mondego (Boa Viagem) (2)

1922 (station established 1865). Active; focal plane 97 m (318 ft); white flash every 5 s. 15 m (49 ft) square cylindrical masonry tower with lantern and gallery, attached to two 1-story keeper's houses. Building painted white with gray trim; lantern painted red. Fog horn (one blast every 30 s). Alexandre Albuquerque's photo is at the top of this page, Trabas has a good photo, J. Cornelius has another good photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, Huelse has a postcard view that shows the design of the building well, and Google has a satellite view. Boa viagem is the Portuguese equivalent of bon voyage; the heights of the ridge of that name, rising suddenly above the low shore to the north, were often the last land seen by departing sailors. Located on the western end of a forested ridge protected as the Parque Florestal da Serra da Boa Viagem, about 5 km (3 mi) northwest of Figueira da Foz. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS POR-010; Admiralty D2060; NGA 3284.

* Cabo Mondego (Boa Viagem) (1)

1865. Inactive since 1922. Ruined octagonal stone tower; the stump of the tower is about 4 m (13 ft) high. A photo is available (pdf file), and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse was built in 1858 by the engineer Francisco Maria Pereira da Silva, but it was not activated until 1 August 1865. Located atop a steep bluff on the Rua Farol Velho, about 1.6 km (1 mi) south of the modern lighthouse. Site open, tower closed.

* Figueira da Foz (Forte de Santa Catarina)

1886. Inactive since 1968. Approx. 10m (33 ft) round cylindrical cast iron tower with lantern and gallery, painted red. Paulo Azevedo has a photo, a second photo showing the fort is available, and Google has a satellite view. Another example of a French tourelle. Probably still in service as a daybeacon, this lighthouse is located within the walls of the late 16th century Forte de Santa Catarina, on the north side of the entrance to the Rio Mondego at Figueira da Foz. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS POR-073.

* Figueira da Foz North Mole

Date unknown (1968?). Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); red light, 1.5 s on, 4.5 s off. 7 m (23 ft) round conical tower with a flared top, painted with red and white horizontal bands. Trabas has a photo, Luis Loureiro has a 2009 closeup, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the breakwater on the north side of the entrance to the Rio Mondego at Figueira da Foz. Accessible by walking the breakwater. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS POR-071; Admiralty D2066; NGA 3296.

Leiria District Lighthouses

* Penedo da Saudade 1912. Active; focal plane 55 m (180 ft); two white flashes every 15 s. 32 m (105 ft) square masonry tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 2-story brick keeper's complex. 3° Fresnel lens. Trabas has an excellent photo, Noemia Costa Dias has a nice closeup, Marinas.com has aerial photos, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse does not mark a prominent cape; it was located at a convenient point halfway between the lights of Cabo Mondego and Ilha Berlenga. The original 3° lens was transferred to Cabo Mondego in 1921, but it was replaced by another 3° lens of a different type. The lighthouse and keeper's house were both renovated and restored in 1997-98. Located directly on the coastal road about 800 m (1/2 mi) north of São Pedro de Moel. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS POR-034; Admiralty D2072; NGA 3312. ** Nazaré (Forte de São Miguel) 1903. Active; focal plane 50 m (164 ft); white light, 2 s on, 1 s off. 8 m (26 ft) round cast iron (?) lantern mounted on the wall of the fort. Lantern painted bright red. Fog siren (one 10 s blast every 35 s). Trabas has a good photo, Carlos Olmo has a closeup of the lantern, a view from the sea is available, and Google has a satellite view. This light is built on the stone walls of the Forte de São Miguel, which dates from 1577. Located on a very sharp headland at the west end of the town of Nazaré, a village now popular as a beach resort. Site open, fort open. ARLHS POR-032; Admiralty D2074; NGA 3316. * São Martinho do Porto Range Rear Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); red light occulting once every 6 s. 12 m (39 ft) post light mounted atop a square 2-story concrete equipment shelter; there is a gallery atop the building. Trabas has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. The front light is a similar post with no equipment shelter. Located about 150 m (500 ft) southeast of the waterfront of São Martinho do Porto. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS POR-097; Admiralty D2078.1; NGA 3328.

Farol do Panedo da Saudade Marinha de Portugal photo

Berlenga

1842. Active; focal plane 121 m (397 ft); white flash every 10 s. 29 m (95 ft) square stone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story keeper's complex. Tower painted white with unpainted stone trim; lantern painted red. Fog horn (one 6 s blast every 28 s). Carlos Eduardo Souza Lopes has an excellent photo, Trabas has a distant view, Marinas.com has aerial photos, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. Berlenga is the largest of three small islands about 9 km (5.5 mi) west northwest of Cabo Carvoeiro. There is an anchorage on the southeast side of the island, and transportation is available from Peniche. Because the islands lie directly on the coastal shipping lanes, the lighthouse has always been considered one of the most important in Portugal. In 1897 a hyperradiant Fresnel lens (larger than first order) was installed: one of only a few dozen such lenses ever built. The great lens was removed in 1985, when the light was electrified and a modern 400 mm (16 in) lens installed. The light was solarized in 2000 without reducing its 43 km (27 mi) range. Located at the highest point of the western side of the island. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS POR-004; Admiralty D2086; NGA 3336.

* Cabo Carvoeiro (2) 1886 (station established 1790). Active; focal plane 57 m (187 ft); three red flashes every 15 s. 27 m (89 ft) robust square cylindrical stone stone tower with lantern and gallery, rising from the base of a U-shaped 1-story keeper's complex. Buildings painted white with unpainted stone trim; lantern painted red. Fog horn (one 10 s blast every 35 s). A photo is at right, Trabas has a good photo, Carlos Olmo has another excellent closeup photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. Cabo Carvoeiro is one of the most prominent capes of the Portuguese coast. Lights are said to have been displayed here for centuries on the tower of the chapel of Nossa Senhora de Vitória, now demolished. The original lighthouse, 21 m (69 ft) tall, was identified as inadequate by an 1881 commission. In modern times the lighthouse is no longer considered a major coastal light; the red light displayed guides ships on their approach to the nearby fishing port of Peniche. Located at the end of a promontory about 3 km (1.8 mi) west of the Peniche waterfront. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS POR-006; Admiralty D2088; NGA 3340. * Peniche de Cima Range Rear Date unknown. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); red light, 2 s on, 5 s off. 10 m (33 ft) round lantern mounted atop a 2-story building. Trabas has a photo. Located across the street from the waterfront in Peniche de Cima. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty D2092.1; NGA 3348. * Peniche West Mole Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); red flash every 3 s. 8 m (26 ft) round conical tower with a flared top, painted with red and white horizontal bands. Trabas has an excellent photo, Antonio Vega has a closeup, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. Located at the end of the west mole at Peniche. Accessible by walking the breakwater. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS POR-077; Admiralty D2094; NGA 3356. * Peniche East Mole Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); red flash every 3 s. 10 m (30 ft) round tower, painted with green and white horizontal bands. Trabas has a closeup photo, a 2008 photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the east mole at Peniche. Accessible by walking the breakwater. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS POR-076; Admiralty D2096; NGA 3352.

Farol da Cabo Carvoeiro, August 2007 anonymous Creative Commons photo

* Ericeira

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 37 m (121 ft); red light, 2 s on, 1 s off. 8 m (26 ft) concrete "sentry box" style lantern attached at an upper corner of a 2-story building. Trabas has a photo. Located near the waterfront in Ericeira. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS POR-088; Admiralty D2106; NGA 3372.

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

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Posted December 17, 2005. Checked and revised March 13, 2009. Lighthouses: 31. Site copyright 2009 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.