Iron lighthouse
Openwork frame.
The São Thomé Lighthouse stands on Praia do Farol, Lighthouse Beach, in Campos dos Goytacazes in northern Rio de Janeiro state, and has given its name to the surrounding seaside village, a summer favourite with people from the region. It was designed by a French firm in the openwork iron style created by the Swedish engineer Nils Gustaf von Heidenstam, using tension rods to give the iron frame its stability. It was built in 1877 and inaugurated in 1882 to mark Princess Isabel's birthday, from a special corrosion-resistant iron, which is why it is still in good condition; it stands 45 metres tall with 216 steps. It once ran on kerosene and now uses electricity, with two backup generators, turning a full circle every 68 seconds after sunset; its range was cut to about 31 kilometres after a fire in 1967. Visitors come to the village for the sea and wide sands, and to admire the historic iron lighthouse.
Openwork frame.
Wide sands.
Every 68 seconds.
Praia do Farol, Farol de São Thomé, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro state
In 1877; it was inaugurated in 1882 on Princess Isabel's birthday.