Cristovao Pereira Lighthouse

Christóvão Pereira de Abreu was a key figure in the formation of Rio Grande do Sul-Brazil. Due to his initiative, the land connection between the south and the city of Sorocaba in São Paulo has become an important route for the tropeiros. He was also one of those responsible for the founding of Rio Grande and Porto Alegre. In a sesmaria of his property in 1858, one of the most important lighthouses of Lagoa dos Patos would be inaugurated, integrating the network of nautical signals so demanded by the navigators of the time. The first lighthouse consisted of a simple wooden tower topped by a lamp. On January 8, 1861, an impressive 28-meter masonry tower was inaugurated. To the south of this landmark is the Capão da Marca Lighthouse, the first in Rio Grande do Sul, inaugurated by D. Pedro II in 1849. Its construction started in 1858, registered at the time: (…) The land was dug to a depth to find enough water, it was staked with 84 ley posts all over the surface, over which it was crated with ley beams at a distance of three feet from one to another, and after being unfinished, the dry stone slabs were well pressed: the stone shoe and lime were lifted up to ten hands on this crate, and the tower and mid-water walls will always rise on top of it. the plant in view. This work is present with the closed arches of the second floor and receiving the respective wood, and at 45 spans of height above the ground (…). (1 span = 21 cm). Completed in 1886, its operation began the following year, remaining active until today.