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Farol de Pinda

QPQ6+Q3W, Nangata, Mozambique

Name and Location

Farol de Pinda is a small coastal lighthouse located on the eastern shore of Mozambique, in the village of Nangata, Memba District, Nampula Province. Its address is Plus-code QPQ6+Q3W, and its coordinates are 14°12′38″ S, 40°42′37″ E.

2. Construction and History

Few published sources detail Farol de Pinda's origins. It was likely established in the 20th century to aid local coastal traffic between Pemba and Quelimane under Portuguese administration. No firm construction date or original plans have been located.

3. Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse is a masonry or concrete tower, with an unknown height and focal height above sea level. It is presumed to be constructed using stone, brick, or reinforced concrete, but the exact materials are unrecorded. The architectural style is undocumented, likely being functional utilitarian design common to small lighthouses of the era.

4. Light and Navigation

The light characteristic and range of Farol de Pinda are not publicly recorded. It is unknown whether the lighthouse was automated; manual keepers were likely phased out by mid-20th century, but no automation date has been found. The lighthouse is presumed still in service as a local navigation aid.

5. Accessibility and Visiting

The lighthouse is likely restricted to public accessibility, with no visitor facilities or guided tours known. Visitors may view the tower from the R1163 roadway or nearby shoreline; vehicular access requires a local track from Nangata village.

6. Notable Views and Landscape

Farol de Pinda stands amid low, shrub-covered coastal terrain overlooking the Indian Ocean. The surroundings are typical of northern Mozambique's sandy beaches, interspersed with small fishing settlements. On clear days, it offers unobstructed views eastward to the sea and westward across rural farmland.

7. Anecdotes and Folklore

No documented shipwrecks, famous keepers, or folklore are readily associated with Farol de Pinda. Local fishermen may use it as a daytime landmark when navigating along this stretch of coast.

8. Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse's managing authority is unspecified, although Mozambique's Instituto Nacional de Hidráulica e Saneamento or maritime authority commonly oversee coastal lights. It does not feature in major "historic lighthouses" registers and has no formal national heritage designation located.

9. Further Information

OpenStreetMap: https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/245371517
https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q10280163
https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farol_de_Pinda

Details

NameFarol de Pinda
CityNangata
CountryMozambique
Coordinates-14.2106094, 40.7102801
Historic significanceAid to local coastal traffic between Pemba and Quelimane
Architectural styleFunctional utilitarian design
Construction material["stone","brick","reinforced concrete"]
Access descriptionAccess via provincial route R1163 or nearby shoreline
Accessiblefalse
Landscape typeSandy beaches and rural farmland
View descriptionUnobstructed views of the Indian Ocean and surrounding countryside
Guided toursfalse
FacilitiesToilets, Café, Gift shop