PONTA DO PARGO

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PERESTRELLOS PHOTOGRAPHOS
MFM-AV, inv. PER/6921

St. Peter's Church

Having as its initial headquarters the chapel of St. Peter, which had been built by fishermen near this place around the year 1560. The parish dates from the mid-sixteenth century and is said to have appeared before 1560. "In 1687 it was restored, after being sold at auction in 1609 for 2231$600 réis, the carpenters Salvador Lopes and Manuel dos Santos, and the masons João de Almeida and João Rodrigues being responsible for the works". (Ladeira, 2016). In 1851, it underwent a partial rebuilding that cost 1700$000 réis( (Ladeira, 2016).

Ponta do Pargo Lighthouse

Inaugurated on June 3, 1922, the lighthouse of Ponta do Pargo is the highest in Portugal, sitting at an elevation of approximately 300 metres. It was built for the purpose of assisting the vessels. The idea of building a lighthouse there was an old one; there are references that already in the late nineteenth century there were the first studies for the construction of a lighthouse at that place. It would only be designed in 1911 by the engineer of the Ministry of the Navy in Lisbon. The project included a residence for the lighthouse keepers and a material depot.

The lighthouse was built between late 1912 and early 1915 by Francisco de Marques da Silva, containing a concrete slab structure and a lantern, which was only received in 1921, due to World War I. It initially ran on oil with a range of 28 miles, but, in 1937, incandescent lighting increased its range to 34 miles. In 1958 it was electrified, and in 1989 it was automated and connected to the public power grid. It is one of the most visited lighthouses in the country.

Cable Car Viewpoint

This overhead cable assisted in the transport of cargo from the Fishermen’s Wharf to the top of the rock. The Fishermen’s Wharf was built in 1916 (Elucidário Madeirense, vol. I, 1998, p.187). It was an important means of transporting products that were sent from and arrived at the parish. If we look to the right, we catch sight of the centenary lighthouse of Ponta do Pargo (1922). From here visitors can take a beautiful walk along the path of Fajã Grande and contemplate stunning landscapes by the sea and look down on the picturesque fishing village of Paul do Mar.

Favas Peak

Pico das Favas rises to an elevation of 149 metres. It was the location for the signalling station of the parish for many years. Around 1940 a movement was created in the parish for the construction of a cross at the top of the peak that, according to plans, could be visited by car by way of an access road to be built on the slope of the hill. It was near this place that around 1560, the fishermen helped to build the first chapel of the parish, dedicated to St. Peter. Later, it collapsed and was built closer to the centre of the parish. From here we have a beautiful panoramic view of the whole parish.

Auguage/Deep Throat Waterfall

From the viewpoint at the Sítio de Pedregal, we are dazzled by a waterfall approximately 200 metres high. For many years it was known to the local population as the Auguage, but for the last number of years it has been called Garganta Funda (Deep Throat). From here we see the Atlantic Ocean and to our left the Lighthouse of Ponta do Pargo and all its surroundings, while on the right, the fajã (the coastal platform) at the Sítio da Lombada Velha.