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São Pedro de Moel

Leiria geography stubsMunicipalities of PortugalVillages in Portugal
São Pedro de Moel Portugal (9713288764)
São Pedro de Moel Portugal (9713288764)

São Pedro de Moel is a beach community dependent on the city, freguesia and municipality of Marinha Grande in the District of Leiria, Portugal. According to the 2011 Portuguese Census, it has 389 inhabitants. It is located within the Pinhal de Leiria, south of the mouth of Ribeira de Moel. It is a seaside village, west of the cities of Marinha Grande and Leiria. In 146,3 Afonso V gave São Pedro de Moel to the Count of Vila Real. The family had a palace in Leiria and several houses in São Pedro de Moel. They lived on this beach until 1641, when the last Marquis of Vila Real and his son, Duke of Caminha, were executed. The widowed Duquesa de Caminha mourned the death of her husband on a rocky outcrop overlooking the ocean, which is named in his honour - Penedo da Saudade - at the top of which there is a lighthouse of the same name. The legend of the Duquesa de Caminha also claims that the rock still resonates with her lament. Overlooking the beach is the home of the poet Afonso Lopes Vieira which includes a chapel overlooking the ocean and a sun-clock. The house was donated by the poet to the City of Marinha Grande for use as a resort for local children. Nowadays it is also used as a museum. In the 19th century São Pedro de Moel was the location of a thriving resin factory, using the resources of the abundant local pine forests. The entire beach was originally part of the Portuguese Mata Nacional do Pinhal do Rei, but in 1923 was reorganised into the Marinha Grande município. It is denoted by a central statue of King Dinis and Queen Santa Isabel. Points of interest include Praia Velha, Praia da Concha, Penedo da Saudade and its lighthouse, and Ribeira de Moel, all slightly to the north. In the pine forests there are several parks. The Volta dos Sete ("Around the Seven") is a beautiful route running for approximately 7 km, passing sea, beaches, pine forest, parks, fountains and streams.

Excerpt from the Wikipedia article São Pedro de Moel (License: CC BY-SA 3.0, Authors, Images).

São Pedro de Moel
Avenida José Nobre Marques, Marinha Grande

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Latitude Longitude
N 39.755277777778 ° E -9.0322805555556 °
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Bar da Praia

Avenida José Nobre Marques
2430-492 Marinha Grande
Portugal
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São Pedro de Moel Portugal (9713288764)
São Pedro de Moel Portugal (9713288764)
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Penedo da Saudade Lighthouse
Penedo da Saudade Lighthouse

The Penedo da Saudade Lighthouse (Portuguese: Farol do Penedo da Saudade) is located on the Atlantic coast in São Pedro de Moel, District of Leiria, Portugal. The functioning lighthouse was built in 1912 and takes its name from the cliff on which it was constructed.The quadrangular tower is constructed of stone and masonry walls covered by brick tiles, and contains a spiral staircase. It is 32 metres high and the base is at 55 metres above sea level. The location was chosen to be approximately halfway between Berlenga Lighthouse to the south and Cabo Mondego Lighthouse to the north. Originally identified as being necessary during a survey in 1866, the location was not formally agreed until 1902 and construction did not begin until 1909. The Penedo da Saudade lighthouse started operations on February 15, 1912. At that time it was equipped with a rotating 3rd–order optical device with a 500mm focal length and the light was fuelled by oil vapour.From March 1916 to December 1919 the light was extinguished due to World War I. From March to July 1921 it was also inactive as the lighting system was moved to the new Cape Mondego Lighthouse and was replaced by another 3rd–order device. At this time some improvements were also made to the tower and further changes were made in 1937. Generators were installed in 1947, necessitating construction of an engine house. Aeromarine panels were added in 1950. The lighthouse was not connected to the public grid until 1980, when an automation system was also installed. In 1947 the white lamp was 6000 watts but has progressively been reduced to one of 1000 watts. Technical difficulties were experienced in 1983 as a result of damage caused by a thunderstorm.The lighthouse can be visited on Wednesday afternoons.