Dili Harbor Lighthouse

Gazing up at the Dili Harbor Lighthouse, did you ever wonder about the stories it could tell? This iconic landmark, the Farol do Porto de Dili, stands proudly on the shore of the Bay of Dili. It has been a beacon for ships navigating the Port of Dili since 1896. The Dili Harbor Lighthouse wasn’t the first to grace this spot. A smaller, 7-meter predecessor once stood here. Its light often blended with the city’s glow, and the structure itself was crumbling. The current Dili Harbor Lighthouse, rising a stately 19 meters, replaced this older structure. Construction began in 1889, under the watchful eye of Governor Rafael Jácome Lopes de Andrade. Interestingly, for a brief period, both the old and new lighthouses existed simultaneously, as documented on maps from 1892 and 1893. The Dili Harbor Lighthouse we see today is not entirely original. It has undergone two significant reconstructions. The first was in 1932. The second occurred between 1948 and 1949, following the Japanese occupation of Portuguese Timor. This latter renovation also included landscaping the lighthouse’s platform. The lighthouse keeper even received a new residence in 1949. A nearby house, located across what is now Avenida de Motael, was adapted for this purpose. The area surrounding the Dili Harbor Lighthouse became known as “Bairro do Farol.” In the early 1950s, this area was developed as a residential area for high-ranking colonial public servants and Europeans. Today, the Dili Harbor Lighthouse stands as an octagonal metal tower. It rises from a sturdy masonry base, topped with a lantern and gallery. A spiraling, exposed stairway wraps around a central column, leading to the lantern room. The lighthouse continues its vital role, guiding ships safely through the waters of Dili.