Farol da Ponta dos Capelinhos

Farol da Ponta dos Capelinhos
Place:	Capelo , Faial , Azores
Location:	Azores , Portugal
Geographical location:	38 ° 35 '48.2 "  N , 28 ° 49' 34.1"  W Coordinates: 38 ° 35 '48.2 "  N , 28 ° 49' 34.1"  W.
Fire carrier height :	20 m
Fire height :	70 m
Identifier :	deleted
Operating mode:	electric
Function:	Coastal fire
Construction time:	from 1894 to 1903
Operating time:	August 1, 1903 to October 29, 1957

The Farol da Ponta dos Capelinhos is a former lighthouse in the municipality of Capelo in the west of the Azores island of Faial . Due to the volcanic eruption on the Ponta dos Capelinhos, it had to be abandoned in October 1957. The lighthouse is now the landmark of the visitor center at Vulcão dos Capelinhos .

History and architecture

Construction of the lighthouse began on April 1st, 1894. In 1901 King Charles I and Queen Amélie visited the construction site. By July 1903, the work was completed, and on August 1, the lighthouse was put into operation.

The octagonal tower with gallery was connected at the base to a two-story building, which contained the living quarters of the lighthouse keeper and storage rooms. The tower was crowned by a dome under which the lantern was located. The lighthouse and the residential building were plastered and painted white.

A violent earthquake on August 31, 1926 caused damage, but this could be repaired by 1927. In September 1957, a series of earthquakes occurred in west Faial, which was followed on September 29 by an underwater eruption about one kilometer west of the lighthouse. In October, a 100 m high volcanic island was formed off the coast, where the water had previously been 70 m deep. The ash clouds rose up to 1200 m, the water vapor even three to four kilometers. On October 29th, the lighthouse lights were turned off and the staff evacuated. The eruption lasted until October 1958. Ejected stones and the enormous amount of volcanic ash caused the roof of the lighthouse building to collapse and the interior to be partially buried.

By the end of the 1950s, the Farol de Vale Formoso was built 2.5 km southeast , which has since replaced the Farol da Ponta dos Capelinhos.

The ruins of the lighthouse were renovated between 2006 and 2008. It was given a glass dome and can be climbed by visitors today. An underground visitor and documentation center was built in the immediate vicinity.

See also

• List of lighthouses in Portugal

Web links

Commons : Farol da Ponta dos Capelinhos  - collection of images

Individual evidence

1. ↑ ^{a b c d} Farol da Ponta dos Capelinhos / Centro de Interpretação do Vulcão dos Capelinhos on the website of the Portuguese Information System for Architectural Heritage (Sistema de Informação para o Património Arquitectónico, SIPA), accessed on August 15, 2015 (Portuguese).
2. ↑ Farol de Vale Formoso on the website of the Portuguese Information System for Architectural Heritage (Sistema de Informação para o Património Arquitectónico, SIPA), accessed on August 15, 2015 (Portuguese).