Name and Location

The Farol de Gonçalo Velho, also known simply as the Gonçalo Velho Lighthouse, is located on the southern coast of Santa Maria Island in the Azores, Portugal. Its address is WXHM+RG Santo Espírito, Vila do Porto, Santa Maria, Azores, Portugal (postal code 9580). The geographic coordinates are 36°55′46.61″ N, 25°00′58.15″ W, and the plus code is 898P WXHM+RG.

2. Construction and History

The exact date of construction for the Farol de Gonçalo Velho is not documented. The architect or builder are also unknown. However, the lighthouse was built in the mid-20th century style and features a functional maritime tower with a cylindrical white tower, gallery, and lantern.

3. Architecture and Materials

The Farol de Gonçalo Velho is constructed using reinforced concrete materials, typical of Azorean lighthouses built after the 1930s. The tower stands at a height of 14 meters above its base.

4. Light and Navigation

Unfortunately, official data on the light characteristics of the Farol de Gonçalo Velho are not recorded. However, it is an active coastal light that guides vessels around Santa Maria's southern approaches. The lighthouse is fully automated, monitored remotely, and powered by electricity with battery backup.

5. Accessibility and Visiting

The tower itself is not open to the public, but visitors can access the surrounding grounds freely year-round. To reach the location, follow the unnamed local road off the EN1-2A coastal route near Santo Espírito, and park at the roadside pull-off. There are no visitor facilities or museum on site, but nearest services can be found in Vila do Porto (10 km east).

6. Notable Views and Landscape

The clifftop location offers panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and, on clear days, neighboring islands of São Miguel and Terceira. The adjacent landscape features low scrub and characteristic Azorean coastal flora, as well as occasional nesting seabirds.

7. Anecdotes and Folklore

According to local folklore, keepers have spotted ghost lights off the cliff on stormy nights, possibly bioluminescent plankton or distant ship lights refracted by the mist. The lighthouse was named in honor of Gonçalo Velho Cabral (c. 1390–c. 1460), who led the first Portuguese colonists to Santa Maria in the 1430s.

8. Technical and Operational Details

The Farol de Gonçalo Velho is managed by the Portuguese Navy (Direção de Faróis) and remains an active navigation aid, guiding vessels around Santa Maria's southern approaches. There are no reported AIS/radar installations.

9. Further Information

For further information on the Farol de Gonçalo Velho or Azorean lighthouses in general, please refer to the Direção de Faróis (Portuguese Navy) website or the book "Faróis dos Açores" by João Dias.