Calcanhar Lighthouse Picture 1

More information on Calcanhar Lighthouse Photo by: Thyrone

This active lighthouse in the city of Touros, named Farol do Calcanhar but also known as Touros Lighthouse.  At a height of 203 feet (62 m) it is the nineteenth tallest "traditional lighthouse" in the world, as well as the tallest in Brazil, and one of the tallest concrete lighthouses in the world.

The lighthouse is strategically placed on the beach of the Ponta de Calcanhar, near Touros, where the Brazilian coast forms a right angle, known as “Esquina do Brasil” or "Esquina do Continente", which means corner of Brazil or corner of the continent.    The lighthouse actively alerts ships to a coral reef located 7km offshore.

A spiral staircase with 277 steps leads to an observation platform, and from here a 21 rung ladder leads up to the actual light itself.   The area includes several smaller buildings for the lighthouse keeper, including the house in which the resident keeper lives.   The site is open to the public from 9 am to 11 am daily.

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