Category: Civil Architecture > Lighthouse
District: Açores > Horta > Ribeirinha > Ponta da Ribeirinha
The Ponta da Ribeirinha Lighthouse is located at the tip of Ponta da Ribeirinha, an area of the locality with the same name, integrated into the municipality of Horta, on Faial Island. Situated at an altitude of approximately 136 meters, the site offers expansive views over the vast Atlantic Ocean. On days of good visibility, it is possible to sight the surrounding coastal landscape and, at times, other islands of the archipelago, granting the lighthouse a privileged position overlooking the sea.
More than a maritime navigation point, the Ponta da Ribeirinha Lighthouse is a striking testament to the force of nature. Its original structure, with the quadrangular masonry tower lined with white tiles and the annexed buildings that served as residences for the lighthouse keepers, was severely damaged by the earthquake of July 9, 1998. This tremor, with an epicenter near the coast of Ponta da Ribeirinha, left the lighthouse in ruins, leading to its deactivation. Its walls and tower, once imposing, remain today as a visible memory of that natural event, representing the island's resilience.
Built starting in 1915 and inaugurated in 1919, the original lighthouse played a vital role in navigation until the 1998 earthquake. After the damage sustained, its demolition was considered. However, the mobilization of the community and associations dedicated to the preservation of island heritage allowed the structure to be maintained. This conservation effort aims not only to preserve the ruins as a historical element but also to restore dignity to a site that is an important symbol for the parish and for the entire island of Faial.
In replacement of the original lighthouse, a modern beacon was installed nearby in 1999. This simpler structure, a five-meter-high white metallic column, maintains the function of maritime signaling, operating with solar energy and emitting a light that reaches approximately 12 nautical miles. There are plans for the future of the site that include the consolidation of the old lighthouse ruins and the creation of a space dedicated to the history of navigation and the seismic events that shaped the region, allowing the memory and function of the lighthouse to endure.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.5942026,-28.6046893
Coordinates DMS: 38°35'39.1"N 28°36'16.9"W
Weather Ribeirinha
On-duty Pharmacy Ribeirinha
