Farol do Bugio

The Bugio Lighthouse, located at the mouth of the Tagus River, was ordered by King João IV in 1643 and completed around 1657. The fort served both military and navigational roles. The original stone lantern used oil lamps; it was rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake and modernized over time. In 1896, a 3rd order dioptric lens replaced the earlier system. Electrification began in 1959 with a 500W lamp and a foghorn added in 1960. In 1981, automation introduced sealed optics and remote control. The lighthouse was unmanned from 1982. In 1994, solar-powered ML 300 optics were installed. Storm damage in 1993 led to major restoration works between 1997–2001. In 2008, a Vega VLB44 system with solar panels increased its range to 15 miles. The fort was classified as a public interest site in 1957.