Name and Location

The Farol do Cabo de Sines lighthouse, also known as the Farol de Sines, is a coastal light marking the rocky headland of Cabo de Sines on Portugal's Atlantic coast. It is located in the municipality of Sines, District of Setúbal, Portugal, with coordinates 37°57′34″ N, 8°52′49″ W.

2. Construction and History

The lighthouse is an active aid to navigation under the authority of the Portuguese Navy's Direção de Faróis. While the exact date of construction is not publicly documented, it is likely that the lighthouse was built in the first half of the 20th century. The light is fully automated and remotely monitored by the Direção de Faróis.

3. Architecture and Materials

The tower is a cylindrical masonry/concrete structure, painted white, with a gallery and red lantern. It stands at a height of 28 meters (tower) above sea level, with a focal plane of 56 meters above sea level. The construction materials are likely reinforced concrete or stone.

4. Light and Navigation

The lighthouse emits a group-flash pattern every 15 seconds, consisting of two white flashes, each lasting 0.5 seconds, followed by an eclipse of 4.5 seconds and then another flash of 0.5 seconds. The light range is 26 nautical miles, with Admiralty list of lights reference D 2160 and NGA reference Pub. 113 (2017).

5. Accessibility and Visiting

The tower itself is not open to the public, but visitors may view the structure from designated paths along the headland. To reach the lighthouse, follow Rua da Estrada do Farol northward for approximately 2 kilometers from the center of Sines.

6. Notable Views and Landscape

The surrounding landscape is characteristic of the Alentejo coast, with steep cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, low scrub, and windswept pines. The nearby attractions include Sines Castle and Museum (Museu de Sines), Vasco da Gama Interpretive Centre, and Costa Vicentina beaches.

7. Anecdotes and Folklore

No anecdotes or folklore are available for this lighthouse.

8. Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse is managed by the Direção de Faróis (Portuguese Navy) and is recorded in the national SIPA database with reference 16780. The light is fully automated and remotely monitored by the Direção de Faróis.

9. Further Information

For further information, refer to the following sources:

• "Cabo de Sines Lighthouse," Associação dos Amigos dos Faróis de Portugal
• NGA List of Lights, Pub. 113 (Atlantic Coast of Europe, 2017)
• SIPA entry: http://monumentos.pt/site/APP_PagesUser/SIPA.aspx?id=16780
• Portuguese-language Wikipedia (pt): https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farol_do_Cabo_de_Sines