Monday, November 10, 2008

Santa Marta lighthouse

This small fortress was built in the 17th century as part of the maritime defense system of Cascais. 200 years later, it lost its strategic interest and a lighthouse was built there, which is still functional nowadays but, having been automated, it doesn't need constant surveilance anymore and has been converted in the first museum dedicated to the lighthouses of the portuguese coast.

21 comments:

Kate said...

It's a great-looking lighthouse. Because I grew up on the shores of Lake Michigan in Wisconsin, I have a special feeling for lighthouses, many of which circle the 5 Great Lakes. Love this post. The sky in the second photo is surely true blue!

Joy said...

I find lighthouses very romantic. I don't know why. This is a nice capture.

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Tanya Breese said...

Such an unusual but beautiful light house!

tr3nta said...

Portuguese lighthouses are beautiful... I love the one in cabo da Roca and Sagres.

Hilda said...

White stone blocks and blue tiles? Lovely! Especially with the contrasting red paint of the metal parts.

The detail at the corners reminds me of Lego bricks somehow. ;)

Love both photos!

Anonymous said...

What an unusual lighthouse. Haven't seen too many with square sides.

PeterParis said...

How white, blue and neat!!! Portugal is a nice country, I know!

Marcel said...

Who dosen't love a lighthouse? There is something about lighthouses that have always fasinated me. And, palm trees too.

Marie-Noyale said...

Coming from Brittany ,France, I am a big admirer of lighthouses..
With all the orange tones we have here,at this time of year, it gives me a summer feeling to see all your sunny whites and light blue..

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

WOW! Nice lighthouse! I've never seen one like that! Cool story, too.

Cipro said...

I love the lighthouses. This is really very beautiful

Saretta said...

The first photo is beautiful! The lighthouse actually looks modern...I wouldn't have imagined it was so old.

Raquel Sabino Pereira said...

THIS IS MY FAVOURITE LIGHTHOUSE IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD!!!!
I live nearby and, when I was a child, I would go there quite often. It brings me so nice memories. THANK YOU!!!!

Ken said...

Nice photo. Whenever we travel to the east coast of Canada my wife insists on visiting the lighthouses.

Sharon said...

That top photo is gorgeous. I love the way you've framed the lighthouse with the 3 palm trees to one side.

nobu said...

It has a unique beatiful shape and design.

rob said...

Beautiful shades of blue.

Anonymous said...

There's something really special about lighthouses. I really like them. This is the first one that I've seem that's not been cylinderical! Great shots, especially the bottom one.

Joan Elizabeth said...

What a very pretty view. And I found it interesting how different the light house looks to those we see here.

Eki said...

Striking structure, JM. It looks mighty too. Very fitting for its function to safely guide those at sea (literallya and metaphorically) home.

I enjoyed the photos you posted yesterday too.

Lisa Wilson said...

I love these!! I've never visited a real lighthouse.