Guia Lighthouse, Maritime lighthouse in Cascais e Estoril, Portugal
Guia Lighthouse is an octagonal stone tower with white masonry walls and a red lantern crowning the top, rising 28 meters above ground. It produces a fixed white light visible up to 19 nautical miles away through an automated system.
This lighthouse began operations in 1761 following reconstruction directed by the Marquis of Pombal after the 1755 Lisbon earthquake devastated the region. The rebuilding was part of broader efforts to restore coastal infrastructure along Portugal's shores.
This location holds centuries of maritime tradition, where a religious brotherhood maintained oil lights for sailors starting in the 1500s. The tower represents how Portuguese communities supported navigation safety over generations, making it part of the region's seafaring heritage.
Access to the tower itself may be limited, so it is best to check in advance whether visits are possible. The best views of the lighthouse can be enjoyed from the surrounding coastal paths or from the nearby beach.
The facility uses modern SMS technology to alert maintenance staff about technical issues, a system put in place in the 1980s that remains active today. This blend of traditional maritime safety and contemporary monitoring shows how a historic structure has adapted to modern technology.
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