Punta Penna Lighthouse

Punta Penna Lighthouse (Italian: Faro di Punta Penna) is an active lighthouse in Vasto, Italy. At a height of 70 metres (230 ft) 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.

Punta Penna
Punta Penna Lighthouse in 2007
Punta Penna
Abruzzo
Punta Penna
Punta Penna (Italy)
LocationVasto
Abruzzo
Italy
Coordinates42°10′16″N 14°42′53″E
Year first constructed1906 (first)
Year first lit1948 (current)
Automatedyes
Foundation2-story masonry keeper's house
Constructionconcrete tower
Tower shapeoctagonal tower with balcony and lantern
Markings / patternwhite tower and lantern, gray metallic lantern dome
Tower height70 metres (230 ft)
Focal height84 m (277 ft)[1]
Current lensType OR 500
focal length: 250 mm
Light sourceelectric power distribution
Intensitymain: AL 1000 W
reserve: LABI 100 W
Rangemain: 25 nmi (46 km; 29 mi)
18 nmi (33 km; 21 mi)
CharacteristicFl W 5s
Fog signalno
Admiralty numberE2306
NGA number113-11100
ARLHS numberITA-138
Italy number3856 E.F[2]
Managing agentMarina Militare

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 to the design of architect Olindo Tarcione; it reopened on 2 May 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 ft (84 m) according to The Lighthouse Directory
  2. "Punta penna". Marina Militare. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
  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. "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). Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
  6. "F.A.Q. (Domande frequenti)". Marina Militare. Retrieved February 8, 2010.

References


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