Portugal 2026 5€ Albarnaz Lighthouse PROOF

The "Lighthouses of Portugal" series includes an issue dedicated to the Ponta do Albarnaz Lighthouse, the westernmost lighthouse in Europe. Operating since 1925 on the north coast of Flores Island, it has become an essential reference point for navigation in the North Atlantic over more than a century.

More than just a maritime signaling element, it represents the historical connection between Portugal and the sea, symbolizing vigilance, resilience, and security.

Designed by sculptor José João de Brito, the coin features the lighthouse integrated into the Atlantic landscape on its obverse, surrounded by undulating lines that evoke the continuous movement of the ocean. The horizon is suggested in a balance between the geometry of the tower and the fluidity of the sea, where the depth of field is suggested by the silhouette of Corvo Island in the background.

On the reverse, the design presents an artistic interpretation of the Fresnel lens, an element that revolutionized lighthouse engineering by allowing for long-range light projection. Concentric lines and rotating light effects reproduce the hypnotic and constant rhythm of the lens's rotation.