Punta Penna Lighthouse () is an active
lighthouse
A lighthouse is a tower, building, or other type of physical structure designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lens (optics), lenses and to serve as a beacon for navigational aid for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways.
Ligh ...
in
Vasto
Vasto ( Abruzzese: '; , ) is a ''comune'' on the Adriatic coast of the Province of Chieti, in southern Abruzzo, Italy. During the Middle Ages it was called ''Guastaymonis'', '' Vasto d'Aimone'' or ''Waste d'Aimone''. Fascist Italy called the city ...
,
Italy
Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe, Western Europe. It consists of Italian Peninsula, a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land b ...
. At a height of it is the eighth tallest "traditional lighthouse" in the world,
and the second tallest lighthouse in Italy after the
Lantern of Genoa. It is located on strategically important spot in Via Madonna della Penna at the port of
Vasto
Vasto ( Abruzzese: '; , ) is a ''comune'' on the Adriatic coast of the Province of Chieti, in southern Abruzzo, Italy. During the Middle Ages it was called ''Guastaymonis'', '' Vasto d'Aimone'' or ''Waste d'Aimone''. Fascist Italy called the city ...
.
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.
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.
A spiral staircase of 307 steps leads up to the summit.
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]
See also
* List of tallest lighthouses in the world
* List of lighthouses in Italy
Notes
References
* as "Punta della Penna".
External links
Servizio Fari Marina Militare
Lighthouses completed in 1906
Lighthouses completed in 1948
Lighthouses in Italy
Buildings and structures in Abruzzo
1906 establishments in Italy
Vasto
{{Italy-lighthouse-stub