Lighthouse of Contendas

Category: Civil Architecture > Lighthouse

District: Açores > Angra do Heroísmo > Vila de São Sebastião > Salga

Location

The Contendas Lighthouse stands majestically on Ponta das Contendas, on Terceira Island, Azores. It is located in an elevated area of the Salga urbanization, within the village of Vila de São Sebastião, in the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo. Its position, in the southeastern corner of the island, offers expansive views of the Atlantic Ocean, being surrounded by a natural landscape that includes agricultural fields, giving it a serene and isolated environment by the cliff.

A Guardian of the Azorean Coast

Inaugurated on February 1, 1934, the Contendas Lighthouse is a landmark in the history of navigation in the Azores. Its construction, which began in 1930 under the direction of António Tomaz, was the culmination of planning that spanned decades, since the first sketches in 1882. The choice of this particular location, over other initial options, was due to its strategic position, considered ideal for illuminating a vast coastal area, guiding maritime navigation. This lighthouse, which over the years has seen its light source evolve from petroleum vapor to electricity, still maintains its vital function of aiding navigation today.

Architecture and Views

The lighthouse building features a unique "H"-shaped floor plan, with four interconnected rectangular bodies. In the center of this horizontal structure, a 13-meter-high white prismatic tower rises, crowned by a striking red dome. The focal point of the light is located 54 meters above sea level. The tower houses a rotating crystal optic, which projects groups of four flashes (white and red) every fifteen seconds, visible at long distances. The presence of this lighthouse atop the cliff invites moments of contemplation, allowing visitors to appreciate the immensity of the ocean and the ruggedness of the Azorean coastal landscape.

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