José Maria, a Spanish tourist visiting Cape Verde, had never visited a lighthouse, but ended up satisfying that curiosity, accompanied by his wife, in the city of Praia, the result of a new heritage redevelopment project.

"This is my first time here. I'm from the coast, I've seen lighthouses, but I've never climbed one."

“It’s a good experience: there are good views up there and it’s very well maintained.”

He describes descending the tower of the D. Maria Pia lighthouse, the first in the archipelago, built 144 years ago. He found the suggestion online as a new landmark for strolls around the capital, a site opened to visitors a few weeks ago as part of the project to restore the archipelago's eight historic lighthouses—the westernmost in Africa, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

Three of the more accessible lighthouses, in addition to being renovated, have been given interpretive areas—spaces housing panels with explanatory notes, maps, videos, and even some antique artifacts. These are the lighthouses of São José (Maio Island) and Fontes Pereira de Melo (Santo Antão Island), as well as the one overlooking Praia.

The D. Maria Pia lighthouse is one of the icons of the Cape Verdean capital, with a gate clearly visible to those strolling along the windy Ponta Temerosa – a name believed to do justice to the number of rocks surrounding this entrance to the port bay.

The old lighting "cage" that was at the top of the 25-meter tower has been restored and now houses the reception in the main courtyard, where 200 escudos (just under two euros) gives access to the entire area – starting with the area around the tower.

An enclosure that authorities hope to eventually lease to third parties, in a process currently under consideration, to boost supply. In this courtyard are two original cannons pointing out to sea, which were part of the battery of three that guarded the harbor entrance against pirates and privateers, even before the lighthouse was built.

Now, "it was the first time that such meticulous restoration work was carried out," explains Nireide Tavares, project coordinator at the Institute of Cultural Heritage (IPC), with support from the Spanish Cooperation, detailing the care taken to remove corrosion and give new life to the artillery pieces that at the time were recovered from shipwrecks for defense purposes.

Inside, the need for coastal lighting in the 19th century is contextualized, with copies of maps, historical documents and old lighthouse optics, heritage of the Maritime and Port Institute (IMP) of Cape Verde, a partner in the project.

The spiral staircase attracts visitors who can climb to the first floor, where there is a large balcony equipped with fixed binoculars that allow a detailed view of the city.

Nireide Tavares explains that there is another objective: "the sustainability of the project." The goal is to generate revenue from ticket sales and partnerships with other entities to cover maintenance work on the site, which is constantly exposed to harsh elements (water, salt, sun, and wind).

“There was an initial intervention in 2017 and 2018 that did not end and has now continued.”

“There was a thorough investigation, because it was a matter of asset recovery.”

Nireide Tavares mentioned this to demonstrate the value of the work carried out on the D. Maria Pia lighthouse, as well as on the other eight historic buildings that are now intended to be preserved.

In addition to the three lighthouses that have gained interpretation centers, the project includes the lighthouses D. Luís, D. Amélia (both on the island of São Vicente), Morro Negro (island of Boa Vista), Ponta Negra and Leste lighthouse (island of Santiago).

“They were very run down, despite being in working order.”

“The goal is to restore these spaces and convert them into tourist and cultural resources, that is, it's not just about maintenance, but about bringing them to life.”, describes Nireide Tavares.

In Praia, José Maria, a Spanish tourist accompanied by his wife, completed his first visit to a lighthouse.

In just under half an hour, at least two other couples make the same journey, transforming a run-down space into an attraction with one of the best views of the city – while at night the (now automatic) light beams continue to aid navigation.

Today, the D. Maria Pia Lighthouse is a symbol of how history reinvents itself. Tourists discover not only the stunning views but also the tales of pirates, corsairs, and colonial efforts to illuminate the coast. At night, the automatic beams continue to guide ships, while during the day, footsteps on the centuries-old steps echo a now-accessible past.

This renovation proves that heritage preservation can be viable: by combining modest revenues, international partnerships, and a keen eye for detail, Cape Verde transforms ruins into tourist destinations. The lighthouse no longer merely serves as a reminder of the rocks; it breathes new life into the value of preserving memories by the sea.