Gonçalo Velho Lighthouse: Honouring the Man Who Discovered the Island
Not every lighthouse only watches over ships. Gonçalo Velho Lighthouse also watches over a name — that of the man who, centuries before any light was ever lit there, led the first Portuguese settlers to set foot on this island.
Built to link two continents
Located at Ponta do Castelo, in the parish of Santo Espírito, this coastal lighthouse began operating on 15 November 1927, aiding maritime navigation between the United States and Europe, and the route from the Mediterranean and Madeira toward the Azores.
A name that changed in 1930
Originally called Ponta do Castelo Lighthouse, it was renamed on 3 March 1930 in honour of Gonçalo Velho Cabral, the navigator credited with discovering and settling Santa Maria in the 1430s. The tower stands 14 metres tall, rising 114 metres above sea level.
From two keepers to three
Deeming the original staff of two keepers insufficient, a second house was built in 1934, bringing the lighthouse to three keepers. It underwent renovation in 1953, and in 1955 the engine house and fuel tank were built.
From oil lamp to automation
Electrified in 1957 with a 3000W lamp, the lighthouse was automated in June 1988, and connected to the public power grid in 1991. A remote monitoring system for Formigas Lighthouse, installed in 1988, was abandoned a year later due to poor reliability.
Planning your visit
- Location: Ponta do Castelo, Lugar da Maia, Santo Espírito parish.
- Access: via a sloped ramp for cars, or on foot along a scenic trail by the cliff.
- Tours: on Wednesdays, it’s possible to visit the lighthouse’s interior.
Best time to visit
Late afternoon offers good light for photographing the lighthouse and the jagged coastline around it.
Nearby highlights
Aveiro Waterfall, about 100 metres tall, sits in the same Lugar da Maia area, a short distance away.
After the lighthouse, head to Aveiro Waterfall to round off your visit to the same bay these two attractions share.
