Name and Location

The Farol do Bugio, also known as the "Farol do Fortinho," is a lighthouse located in Oeiras, Portugal, at the mouth of the Tagus River estuary. The official address is MP62+5C Oeiras, Portugal.

2. Construction and History

The original fort on which the lighthouse stands began construction in the late 16th/early 17th century as part of Lisbon's estuarine defenses. A primitive lantern was established on the fort in the 1650s to guide ships into the Tagus. The current tower was erected in 1775, during the reign of King José I, on top of the existing fort ramparts.

3. Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse's architecture is typical of 18th-century Portuguese coastal forts, with a cylindrical masonry tower rising from earthen ramparts. The materials used include stone and lime mortar for the fort, whitewashed masonry for the lighthouse tower, and green metallic lantern room.

4. Light and Navigation

The light characteristic is flashing green every 5 seconds (Fl G 5s). Although the range has not been officially published, typical ranges for similar lights are around 10-15 nautical miles. A fog signal horn, category "seamark:fog_signal:horn," is activated in low visibility.

5. Accessibility and Visiting

6. Notable Views and Landscape

The lighthouse offers panoramic 360° views over the Tagus mouth, Lisbon skyline to the northeast, and the Atlantic beyond. Surrounded by the tidal currents of the estuary and the ramparts of Forte do Bugio, the site provides a unique experience.

7. Anecdotes and Folklore

Local fishermen speak of the "ghost light" that guided survivors to shore after 18th- and 19th-century shipwrecks nearby. The last keeper, António Costa (served 1948–1965), reportedly played nightly fado on the parapet to calm passing sailors in storm.

8. Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse is managed by the Portuguese Navy – Direção de Faróis (Directorate of Lighthouses) and owned by the Portuguese State (Ministry of National Defense). The site is classified as a National Monument group under Decree-Law no. 141/2007.

9. Further Information

For more information, visit the official page of the Direção de Faróis or consult Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, or Wikidata.