Sines Lighthouse

Category: Civil Architecture > Lighthouse

District: Setúbal > Sines > Sines > Bairro Amilcar Cabral

Location and Panoramic View

The Sines Lighthouse stands imposingly on Cape Sines, in the town of Sines, integrated into the area known as Bairro Amílcar Cabral. Its elevated position, approximately 56 meters above sea level, offers visitors an expansive setting and a stunning view of the Atlantic Ocean. Enveloped by a more open coastal landscape, the location invites contemplation of the vast horizon line and the dynamics of the sea.

Architecture and Character

Inaugurated in 1880, the Sines Lighthouse features a functional architecture, characteristic of 19th-century engineering buildings, but with details that give it a unique character. Its cylindrical, white tower currently reaches 28 meters in height, distinguishing itself in the landscape. The annexed buildings, designed to support the lighthouse's operation, complement the structure. On some sections of the main facade, one can observe the cladding in white tiles and the stonework elements that frame openings and define the quoins, giving it a particular aesthetic.

A Historic Guide at Sea

Since its entry into service, the Sines Lighthouse has played a vital role as a maritime navigation aid on the Alentejo coast. Its light, initially powered by petroleum gas, has been modernized over the years, with the introduction of electric lamps and system automation. For a period, the lighthouse also served as an aeromaritime beacon, guiding not only vessels but also aircraft. Despite technical transformations and the increase in its tower's height in the 1990s, the lighthouse maintains its essential mission, projecting its white light over long distances and continuing to be a symbol of safety at sea for those passing by the Sines coast.

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