Aracaju Lighthouse
Location & Light Range
About Aracaju Lighthouse
Also known as: Aracaju (Sergipe) (Farol Velho)
The Aracaju Lighthouse, an octagonal pyramidal cast iron skeletal tower with a central cylinder, lantern, and enclosed watchroom, was built in 1888. It incorporates two-story keeper's quarters and stands 35 meters tall. The tower features black and white horizontal bands. The original wooden lighthouse burned down in 1884, leading to the construction of the current iron structure, which was prefabricated in France. Although it was deactivated when modern buildings blocked its light, it underwent restoration between 2008 and 2009. The site is now open to the public, though the tower remains closed.
Why it matters: This lighthouse exemplifies late 19th-century French prefabricated engineering in Brazil. Its deactivation due to urban development and subsequent restoration highlight the interplay between historic structures and modern cityscapes.
Tower & Structure
- Tower Height
- 35m
- Tower Shape
- octagonal
- Tower Color
- with black and white horizontal bands
- Material
- iron
Structure: octagonal pyramidal cast iron skeletal tower with central cylinder, lantern, enclosed watchroom, and gallery, incorporating 2-story keeper's quarters
Location
- City
- Aracaju
- Country
- 🇧🇷Brazil
- Region
- Sergipe
- Sea Region
- in a traffic roundabout in the Farolândia district of Aracaju, the capital of Sergipe, about 3 km west of the new lighthouse
- Latitude
- -10.9706°
- Longitude
- -37.0554°
References & Identifiers
- Nearest Port
- Aracaju(3.2 km)
- ARLHS No.
- BRA-282
Construction & History
- Year Built
- 1888
Significant events: original lighthouse, a wood tower, burned in 1884, Deactivated when its light was blocked by modern skyscrapers, abandoned and became gravely endangered, restoration plan and the work was carried out during 2008-09
Visiting
- Open to public
- Site open, tower closed
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