Calcanhar Lighthouse
Encyclopedia
Calcanhar Lighthouse also known as Touros Lighthouse, is an active lighthouse
in Touros
, Rio Grande do Norte
, Brazil
. At a height of 203 feet (61.9 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” (corner of Brazil) or "Esquina do Continente" (corner of the continent), near the northern end of the great curve of the cape of São Roque, the northeastern shoulder of South America
. It alerts ships to a coral reef located about 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) offshore. A spiral staircase of 277 steps leads to an observation platform; a 21-step ladder leads to the light.
The site also includes several one-story lighthouse keeper
's houses and the light station has a resident keeper. The site is open, and the tower is open to the public daily 9 am to 11 am.
Lighthouse
A lighthouse is a tower, building, or other type of structure designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses or, in older times, from a fire, and used as an aid to navigation for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways....
in Touros
Touros
Touros is a municipality in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. It is known as "Brazil's Corner" because it's located at the northeast corner of the country, being the closest Brazilian city to Europe and Africa...
, Rio Grande do Norte
Rio Grande do Norte
Rio Grande do Norte is one of the states of Brazil, located in the northeastern region of the country, occupying the northeasternmost tip of the South American continent. Because of its geographic position, Rio Grande do Norte has a strategic importance. The capital and largest city is Natal...
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
. At a height of 203 feet (61.9 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” (corner of Brazil) or "Esquina do Continente" (corner of the continent), near the northern end of the great curve of the cape of São Roque, the northeastern shoulder of South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
. It alerts ships to a coral reef located about 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) offshore. A spiral staircase of 277 steps leads to an observation platform; a 21-step ladder leads to the light.
The site also includes several one-story lighthouse keeper
Lighthouse keeper
A lighthouse keeper is the person responsible for tending and caring for a lighthouse, particularly the light and lens in the days when oil lamps and clockwork mechanisms were used. Keepers were needed to trim the wicks, replenish fuel, wind clockworks and perform maintenance tasks such as cleaning...
's houses and the light station has a resident keeper. The site is open, and the tower is open to the public daily 9 am to 11 am.