Ponta do Topo Lighthouse

Category: Civil Architecture > Lighthouse

District: Açores > Calheta > Topo > Ponta

Location

On the southeastern tip of São Jorge Island, Azores, stands the Ponta do Topo Lighthouse. This landmark is situated in the picturesque area of Ponta do Topo, in the locality of Topo, municipality of Calheta, standing isolated on the coastline.

Its privileged position, 58 meters above sea level, provides a broad and stunning perspective of the vast Atlantic. The surrounding area is characterized by an imposing natural landscape, where the rocky coast meets the lushness of Azorean vegetation, offering a scenary of great beauty for those who visit it.

Design and Structure

The Ponta do Topo Lighthouse stands out for its functional and robust architecture, designed in 1925 by José Joaquim Peres. The main structure is a circular tower 16 meters high, which culminates in a cylindrical parapet and the lantern housing the lighting equipment.

Annexed to the tower are single-story buildings, originally intended for the residence of the lighthouse keepers and the storage of materials. Constructed of reinforced concrete, a material representative of 20th-century engineering, the lighthouse features a simple yet visually impactful design, harmonizing with the island's natural landscape.

Legacy and Mission

Inaugurated on July 15, 1927, the Ponta do Topo Lighthouse has played a crucial role in maritime navigation safety in the Azores. Over the decades, the lighthouse has undergone various technological evolutions, from its original light source, which operated on gas and petroleum vapor, to its electrification.

A notable episode in its history occurred in 1980, when an earthquake caused significant damage to its optics and rotation mechanism, requiring extensive repairs and the modernization of its lighting system. Currently, this coastal lighthouse remains operational, emitting groups of three white flashes every 20 seconds, with a luminous range of 20 nautical miles, fulfilling its mission to guide vessels along the coast of São Jorge Island and maintaining its importance as a symbol of the region's maritime heritage.

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