The Farol da Ponta dos Capelinhos is a former lighthouse in the municipality of Capelo in the west of the Azores island of Faial. Due to the volcanic eruption at the Ponta dos Capelinhos, it had to be abandoned in October 1957. The lighthouse is now the landmark of the visitor center at the Vulcão dos Capelinhos.
Construction of the lighthouse began on April 1, 1894. In 1901, King Charles I and Queen Amélie visited the construction site. Work was completed by July 1903, and the lighthouse was put into operation on August 1.[1]
The octagonal tower with gallery was connected at the base to a two-story building that contained the lighthouse keeper's living quarters and storage rooms. The tower was crowned by a dome under which the lantern was located. The lighthouse and the residential building were plastered and painted white.
A violent earthquake on August 31, 1926 caused damage, but it was repaired by 1927.[1] In September 1957, a series of earthquakes occurred in western Faial, followed on September 29 by an underwater eruption about one kilometer west of the lighthouse. In October, a 100-meter-high volcanic island formed off the coast, where the water had previously been 70 meters deep. The ash clouds rose up to 1200 meters high, and the water vapor even reached three to four kilometers. On October 29, the lighthouse's light was turned off and the staff evacuated.[1] The eruption lasted until October 1958. Ejected stones and the enormous amount of volcanic ash caused the roof of the lighthouse building to collapse and the interior to be partially buried.
By the end of the 1950s, the Farol de Vale Formoso was built 2.5 km southeast, which has since replaced the Farol da Ponta dos Capelinhos.[2]
Between 2006 and 2008, the ruins of the lighthouse were renovated.[1] It was given a glass dome and can now be climbed by visitors. An underground visitor and documentation center was built in the immediate vicinity.