Punta Penna Lighthouse

Punta Penna Lighthouse

Punta Penna Lighthouse in 2007
Abruzzo
Location Vasto
Abruzzo
Italy
Coordinates 42°10′15.83″N 14°42′42″E / 42.1710639°N 14.71167°E / 42.1710639; 14.71167Coordinates: 42°10′15.83″N 14°42′42″E / 42.1710639°N 14.71167°E / 42.1710639; 14.71167
Year first constructed 1906 (first)
Year first lit 1948 (current)
Automated yes
Foundation 2-story masonry keeper's house
Construction concrete tower
Tower shape octagonal prism tower with balcony and lantern
Markings / pattern white tower and lantern, gray metallic lantern dome
Height 230 feet (70 m)
Focal height 277 feet (84 m)[1]
Light source mains power
Range maine: 25 nautical miles (46 km; 29 mi)
18 nautical miles (33 km; 21 mi)
Characteristic Fl W 5s
Fog signal no
Admiralty number E2306
NGA number 113-11100
ARLHS number ITA-138
Italy number 3856 E.F[2]
Managing agent Marina Militare

Punta Penna Lighthouse (Italian: Faro di Punta Penna) is an active lighthouse in Vasto, Italy. At a height of 230 feet (70 m) it is the eighth tallest "traditional lighthouse" in the world, [3] and the second tallest lighthouse in Italy after the Lantern of Genoa.[4] It is located on strategically important spot in Via Madonna della Penna at the port of Vasto.

History

Built in 1906, it has repeatedly been the subject of reconstruction. In 1944, the retreating German army destroyed part of the old lighthouse and it was demolished. Reconstruction started in 1946 on a design of architect Olindo Tarcione. It was reopened again on May 2, 1948.[5]

The lighthouse is unusual as it looks like a regular brick building with a two-story base which provided housing for the light keeper family and also houses some administrative offices.[6]

A spiral staircase of 307 steps leads up to the summit.[5]

See also

Notes

  1. 276 feet (84 m) according to The Lighthouse Directory
  2. Faro di Punta Penna Marina Militare
  3. Rowlett, Russ. "The Tallest Lighthouses". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
  4. Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Eastern Italy". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
  5. 1 2 "I 104 anni del faro di Punta Penna, storie vere: 2007, l'anno dei naufragi" [The 104 years of the lighthouse at Punta Penna, true stories: 2007, year of shipwrecks]. vastoweb.com (in Italian). Retrieved 9 August 2010.
  6. "F.A.Q. (Domande frequenti)". Marina Militare. Retrieved February 8, 2010.

References


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