Regufe Lighthouse

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Porto > Póvoa de Varzim > Póvoa de Varzim > Bairro Piscatório

Location

The Regufe Lighthouse is located in the city of Póvoa de Varzim, integrated into the area known as the Fishing Quarter. Its position rises slightly in the urban landscape, offering visitors a perspective of the surrounding locality and its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean.

Architecture and Style

This lighthouse stands out for its singular architecture, being a notable example of iron art in Northern Portugal. Its cylindrical tower reaches twenty-two meters in height and features a striking red color. The structure is supported by three robust iron props, a detail that gives the lighthouse a unique and easily recognizable design in Póvoa de Varzim's coastal landscape.

History and Resilience

The construction of the Regufe Lighthouse dates back to 1885-1886, having been inaugurated on March 24, 1892. Over decades, its light played an essential role in guiding vessels in the Póvoa de Varzim cove. Although it was deactivated in 2001, the strong connection of the local community to the lighthouse, which became a true symbol of the Regufe Quarter and the traditional São Pedro festivities, prompted its reactivation in 2015, reaffirming its value as a heritage and luminous element in the city.

Memory and Local Culture

Next to the Regufe Lighthouse is the Lighthouse Keeper's House, built in 1917. This space holds particular cultural significance, as it was here, in 1929, that Flávio Gonçalves, a prominent figure in Portuguese art history and son of the lighthouse's then-keeper, was born. Currently, the lighthouse and the old lighthouse keeper's house can be visited, functioning as an interpretative center that allows for a deeper understanding of the history and importance of this site for Póvoa de Varzim.

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