Farol de São Lourenço

The São Lourenço Lighthouse, located on Ilhéu de Fora, was the first lighthouse on Madeira Island. Its project was approved in 1886, and construction finished in 1870. It began operating on September 30, 1870, with a 10m tower at 103m altitude, equipped with a 2nd order optic and an oil lamp later replaced by petroleum. Initially, it emitted white flashes every 30 seconds with a 25-mile range. In 1921, the light source changed to BBT gas, then petroleum vapor in 1930. Electrification occurred in 1956 with 3000W lamps and a 3rd order optic. In 1983, it was automated with the PRB-21 system and remote control. In 2000, the TRB-400 system replaced PRB-21, switching to solar power. From this date, the lighthouse was no longer staffed by keepers and became managed remotely by the Funchal buoyage team.