There are always some mystery that surrounded a lighthouse wherever they stand at every coastal line. It’s a great relief that some of these historical sites are protected from natural state of ruins.
In some fishing island, lighthouses are the guiding light that brings the fishermen back to shore. And over the years, it has become a watch tower and serves many other functions till today.
Cape Rachado Lighthouse or Rumah Api Tanjung Tuan is one of the country’s oldest lighthouse which were built by the Portuguese in the 16th century. Dated back to 1863, this lighthouse is no longer a vantage point for sailors or watch tower for warships. Today it houses a gigantic –looking revolving Radar used by MEASAT for communications and transmission purposes.
There is always a story behind every historical site, and here’s one local folklore for Cape Rachado . The local claims that Hang Tuah, a legendary Malay warrior of the 15st century, acquired his strength and knowledge by meditating at Cape Rachado. The legend says that his footprint was left embedded in a boulder, and that it can be seen to this day.
Cape Rachado has been restored to its majestic-looking colonial architecture of white concrete structure. Located across the Straits of Malacca and Sumatra, Cape Rachado is a strategic place for the annual migration of preying birds or raptors especially the honey buzzards. Today this lighthouse serves as a conservation area for the migrating birds during their annual winter migration from June to September.
