As a photographer, I’ve always been captivated by lighthouses. Their very purpose as navigational guides necessitates that they are situated almost always along a coastline and close to a body of water. Naturally, since I love to be near the water, especially the ocean, or in Italy, the sea, I’m always attracted to these monumental towers with their beacons of light. The featured photo above is of the Port of Naples, and Faro di Molo di Levante, also known as the green lighthouse, can be seen on the eastern side of the harbor entrance. Since it’s in a military area, it’s best seen from the vantage point of an incoming ship.
While most lighthouses are on the coast, a few do occur in landlocked locations, and an example of this is Faro di Roma, which is located on Janiculum Hill in Rome. This 1911 monumental lighthouse sits high above the right bank of the Tiber River. It was a gift by Italians living in Argentina to celebrate Italy’s unification. On national holidays, it flashes the colors of the Italian flag, despite being nowhere near any navigable waterways.
The two identical, istrian stone towers at the entrances to the marina on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice comprise what is known as Faro di San Giorgio Maggiore, or the lighthouse of San Giorgio Maggiore. It’s always been a favorite sight of mine and another wonderful photo opportunity in Venice. Only forty feet tall, these piicturesque lighthouses function as navigational markers to the harbor.
The Faro di Punta Secca in the seaside village of Punta Secca in Sicily was constructed in 1859 and stands 112 feet tall. Its pure white masonry stands out and makes this one of Italy’s most beautiful lighthouses. For fans of Andrea Camilleri’s fictional character, Inspector Montalbano, this seaside setting became the fictional town of Marinella in the television series.
As I arrived at the port of Messina in Sicily, one of the first sights that came into view was the Madonna statue atop a lighthouse. Dating back to the mid-19th century, the statue is known as La Madonnina del Porto, and the Latin inscription translates to “I bless you and your city.” This Stele della Madonna della Lettera, with its spiritual significance as well as its navigational beacon, welcomes sailors and visitors as they enter the harbor. The 23-foot-tall bronze features prominently on top of a 200-foot-tall pedestal, and serves as both a religious and cultural symbol of this port city.
Il Faro Bianco Lighthouse is one of two lighthouses in Otranto on the Adriatic Sea. This one, built in 1937, is not accessible since it is a military zone. But seen from a distance, its beauty is undeniable.
A second, more well-known lighthouse in Otranto is the Punta Palascia Lighthouse, located on Capo d’Otranto, which is the most eastern point in Italy, where the Adriatic Sea meets the Ionian Sea. Built in 1867 and recently restored, this iconic lighthouse sits 200 feet above the sea, and for a panoramic view, visitors can climb the 150 spiral steps. You can imagine how special this place is to view the first sunrise of the day.
Do you like lighthouses? If you’re like me, you want to stop and take a photo of every one. I look forward to feedback, so please leave a comment.
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