Name and Location

The Ponta do Pargo Lighthouse, also known as Farol da Ponta do Pargo, is located in Ponta da Vigia, Ponta do Pargo, Calheta, Madeira, Portugal. Its coordinates are 32°48′50″ N, 17°15′47″ W (decimal 32.8138995, –17.2629433). The lighthouse can be found on the westernmost point of Madeira Island, offering panoramic views over the Atlantic Ocean and dramatic cliff formations.

Construction and History

The Ponta do Pargo Lighthouse was planned in the early 1920s and first lit in October 1922. Its purpose is to signal the westernmost point of Madeira and guide vessels approaching Funchal from the Atlantic.

Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse features a cylindrical masonry tower attached to a single-storey keeper's house, now unoccupied. The tower is constructed using reinforced concrete and local basalt stone, with a whitewashed finish.

Light and Navigation

The Ponta do Pargo Lighthouse is equipped with a rotating electric beacon and was originally equipped with a first-order Fresnel lens. Its light characteristic is reported to be Fl(2) W 10 s (two white flashes every 10 seconds), with a nominal range of 26 nautical miles.

Accessibility and Visiting

The lighthouse grounds are accessible by public road, with parking available adjacent to the site. However, access to the tower itself is not open to the public, as it is fenced off. Visitors can enjoy the viewpoint facilities, including picnic tables, informational panels, and a small kiosk selling local crafts.

Notable Views and Landscape

The lighthouse offers breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and dramatic cliff formations. Visitors can also explore nearby attractions, such as the Miradouro da Ponta do Pargo viewpoint with picnic area, Levadas and hiking trails in the Calheta region, and local seafood restaurants.

Anecdotes and Folklore

Local legends tell of old lookout posts ("vigias") on these cliffs used to spot pirate ships in the 17th century. Keeper's tales also persist about a keeper who once used signal lamps by hand to warn vessels of sudden fog.

Technical and Operational Details

The Ponta do Pargo Lighthouse is fully automated, with no resident keepers since mid-20th century. Its power source is mains electricity, backed up by diesel and solar-powered emergency systems. The lighthouse is managed by Direção de Faróis, Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente.

Further Information

For more information on the Ponta do Pargo Lighthouse, consult the "Faróis de Portugal" book (ISBN 978-972-8084-34-3), the Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente / Direção de Faróis website (https://www.apambiente.pt/portugalfaros), the Portuguese Wikipedia article (https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farol_da_Ponta_do_Pargo), or the Wikidata entry (https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q10280133).