Lajes Lighthouse

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The Commission charged in 1902 with proposing the alterations to be introduced in the General Plan approved in 1883, would decide for the installation at Ponta das Lajes of a 2nd order device, showing three white flashes every 15 seconds, whose price was 49,000 francs.

The Ponta das Lajes lighthouse started operating on October 10, 1910. It has a tower 16 meters high and 99 meters high. It was equipped with a 2nd order lenticular apparatus (700 mm focal length), the light source being a constant level petroleum lamp. The rotation of the optics was produced through the watchmaking machine.

In 1938 the constant level lamp was replaced by incandescence with oil vapour.

It was electrified through generating sets in 1956 and the light source became a 3000 watt lamp.

The power of the light source was reduced in 1984 with the installation of a 1000 watt 120 volt lamp.

The lighthouse was electrified in 1990 with power from the public grid.

On October 3, 2000, a temporary light began to function due to refurbishment works. It was withdrawn on October 18, 2001.

The lighthouse underwent refurbishment works worth 130,000 contos, being equipped with the most modern technology, supported by computer means from 2001. Technicians will be able to access the lighthouse system from the Lighthouse Center in Paço de Arcos. It is automated with DF model system.

Between May 26 and October 27, 2008, the roofs of the houses were repaired.

On May 25, 2009, a Cisco ASA 5510 Firewall, an eight-port Cisco Catalyst 3560 Switch and a Cisco SIP Phone 3911 were installed (VPN), making access to the Navy Communication Network available.

LOCATION: On the SE tip of Flores Island

FUNCTION: coastal

ESTABLISHMENT: 28 January 1925

LATITUDE: 39º 22.46´N – 39º 22.54' N (WGS)

LONGITUDE: 31º 10.35´W – 31º 10.61' W (WGS)

HEIGHT: 16 meters

ALTITUDE: 99 meters

REACH: 26 Miles (48.2KM)

FEATURE: FI (3) W 28s

OPTICS 2nd Order (700 mm focal length)?.

Information collected from the National Maritime Authority (https://www.amn.pt)