Capelinhos Lighthouse

Category: Civil Architecture > Lighthouse

District: Açores > Horta > Capelo > Capelinhos

Location

The Capelinhos Lighthouse stands on Ponta dos Capelinhos, the westernmost point of Faial Island, in the Azores. It is located in the parish of Capelo, municipality of Horta, in a unique landscape that bears witness to the power of nature. The surrounding area is recognized for its high geological and biological interest, forming part of the Natura 2000 Network and integrating the Azores Geopark, classified as a UNESCO Global Geopark. Its position offers wide and unobstructed views over the vast Atlantic Ocean and the dramatic coastline that formed after the eruption.

A Submerged and Re-emerged Legacy

Inaugurated in 1903, this lighthouse was built to be an essential guide for navigation along the coast of Faial. With its stone masonry structure, which included a two-story rectangular body and an octagonal tower 20 meters high, the lighthouse provided a light with four alternating flashes and a sound signal for fog. Its history took an unexpected turn in September 1957, when a volcanic eruption in the area forced its deactivation. Intense volcanic activity buried much of its base and surrounding structures, leaving it partially submerged by volcanic ash and sands.

Architecture and Geological Testimony

The eruption that marked its history also transformed its physiognomy. Despite being severely hit and partially buried, the lighthouse underwent a careful rehabilitation process. Its tower, still imposing today, now offers access that allows visitors to ascend and observe the volcanic landscape surrounding it, where the ocean once stretched. The original structure, with its ashlar quoining and the dome housing the lantern, is a remarkable example of architectural resilience, standing as a historical anchor in the new configuration of the territory.

Viewpoint to a New Land

Visiting the Capelinhos Lighthouse is an opportunity to experience the recent geological history of the Azores. From the top of its tower, now converted into a viewpoint, a unique perspective opens up onto the lunar landscape created by the 1957-58 eruption. The view allows one to understand the scale of the transformation, where the contrast between the lighthouse, a symbol of human intervention, and the raw force of nature becomes evident. It is a place that invites reflection on the planet's evolution and the adaptability of life in the face of such powerful phenomena.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt