Farol do Carapacho
The General Plan approved in 1883 foresaw the construction of a 4th‑order lighthouse. Earlier proposals, made between 1891 and 1902, recommended the installation of a 4th or 5th‑order light on the highest point of the Carapacho headland. The land for the lighthouse was purchased, but it was only established on 26 May 1956, at Ponta do Carapacho.
The lighthouse tower is 14 metres high, at an altitude of 191 metres. It was initially equipped with a 5th‑order lenticular optic, using acetylene gas incandescence, producing groups of two red flashes. The optic rotation and mantle change were automatic, with an annual gas consumption of about 11,000 litres.
In 1961 the light was changed to white. Automatic switching was introduced in 1978, and the lighthouse was electrified in 1987. The original optic was replaced by a fixed 6th‑order optic with a 50‑watt halogen lamp. Since 1995, the lighthouse has been fully automated with the APCL‑10 system.
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Established
1956
Protected
Yes
Main building material
Concrete
Height
14m
Light height
191m
Light width
15nm
Automated
Yes
De-staffed
1995
Owner/operator
Direção de Faróis
Lighthouses closest to Farol do Carapacho in the Route:
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