The Rosais Lighthouse, on the island of São Jorge, located in the Central Group of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, has become our favorite place on the whole island. Both for the building itself, shrouded in mystery and framed in the landscape, and for the incredible view it offers.
Located on the northwestern tip of the island, more than 200 meters above sea level, the Rosais Lighthouse rises above the cliffs.
When it opened in 1958, it was considered the best and most technologically advanced of the Portuguese lighthouses. During its time in operation, several families lived here, managing to live self-sufficiently in terms of water and energy.
It consists of a 27-meter-high tower (the lighthouse itself) and several other areas for the lighthouse keepers, such as the lighthouse keepers' quarters with a cistern, an oven, storage and a garage.
Despite its importance, the lighthouse has had several difficult moments throughout its history. It was temporarily abandoned in 1964 due to the violent Rosais seismic crisis and simultaneous volcanic eruption. It later returned to activity, but was finally evacuated once again in 1980 after an earthquake measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale caused the cliffs to collapse. From then on, there was no longer a permanent lighthouse keeper and it was operated automatically.
Despite its current state, the lighthouse is still illuminated at night by a solar-powered lantern.
Currently, this part of the island has few inhabitants and is mainly dedicated to agriculture, creating breathtaking landscapes.
Although it's not easy to get to (on dirt tracks), this lighthouse is accessible by car. During the rainy season, this path creates some puddles, so you should take extra care - we visited the lighthouse during this time of year and, apart from a little extra care in some parts, we had no problem reaching our destination.
This area is also known for the observation of nesting seabirds and is a protected fauna and flora zone. When you arrive at the Rosais Lighthouse, bear in mind that it is privately owned and located under sensitive cliffs - the reason why it ceased operating.
A good view of the landscape and the lighthouse itself is in the whale lookoutThis is a former lookout area for whaling and has now been converted into a viewpoint, appearing just before the lighthouse on the left.
From here you can enjoy the view over the islet of Rosais and the islands of Faial and Pico, which characterize much of the landscape visible from the southern part of the island of São Jorge. Some say that, on completely clear days, it is also possible to see the islands of Graciosa and Terceira, but we couldn't see them.
Also noteworthy in the landscape is Baixa da Ponta dos Rosais, a famous triangle-shaped rock formation that can only be reached by sea. The crown of this formation is located at an impressive 15 meters deep and is a hotspot for marine life. It is also home to several nesting birds.
That being said, it remains to highlight the northwestern part of São Jorge Island - the one that has easily become one of our favorite islands, and the area we liked the most. From breathtaking landscapes, imposing rock formations and a calm that you can feel in the air, the Rosais Lighthouse is a must for anyone visiting São Jorge.
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