Farol de D. Maria Pia, Colonial lighthouse near Ponta Temerosa, Praia, Cape Verde
The Farol de D. Maria Pia is a coastal lighthouse in Praia with an octagonal white tower standing 21 meters tall. A single-story attached building served historically as the keeper's residence.
The lighthouse was built in 1881 during Portuguese rule and named after the reigning Portuguese queen of that era. It formed part of the maritime infrastructure that helped control shipping routes around Africa.
The lighthouse bears the name of a Portuguese queen, reflecting Cape Verde's historical ties to European maritime powers. Visitors can see in its design how seafaring nations left their mark on the islands.
The structure sits roughly two kilometers south of Praia's center and is reachable by land. Visitors should be prepared for windy conditions and uneven terrain around the site.
Despite being nearly 150 years old, this lighthouse still operates as an active navigational aid for passing ships. Mariners today rely on its white flashes, which appear every six seconds and can be seen from miles away at sea.
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