Farol de Santa Maria

The Santa Maria Lighthouse was built in 1851 under the direction of Ipácio Vielle, facing significant challenges due to its sandy location near the entrances of the ports of Faro and Olhão. It was the first Portuguese lighthouse to use a Fresnel dioptric lens of the 2nd order, with an average range of 15 nautical miles. In 1883, the coastal lighting plan led to the installation of a 1st order lens, improving the white light and extending its range to 28 miles in clear weather.

Because of its exposed position, the lighthouse required frequent maintenance to protect its structure from the sea. In 1921, the tower was raised to 42 meters and resumed operation in 1923 with a rotating 3rd order optic producing four white flashes every 15 seconds. Over time, it evolved from oil combustion to electric lighting. Major structural reinforcement works took place between 1995 and 1996, followed by automation completed in 1997.