Lighthouses of Italy: Eastern Sicily

Most of Italy (officially the Italian Republic, Repubblica Italiana in Italian) occupies a long peninsula in the Mediterranean Sea, with the Adriatic and Ionian Seas on the east and the Ligurian and Tyrrhenian Seas to the west; the country also includes the Mediterranean's two largest islands, Sicily and Sardinia, and many smaller islands. With this geography Italy has a very long coastline reckoned by geographers at about 7600 km (4722 mi). Guarding this coast are many lighthouses; the Directory lists more than 400.

Italy is divided into 20 regions (regioni), many of them well known outside the country in their own right. The largest island in the Mediterranean, the region of Sicily is separated from the tip of the Italian peninsula by the narrow Strait of Messina. Known as Sicilia in Italian, the island has an ancient history and has had many rulers. The Kingdom of Sicily persisted through many wars and conquests from its founding in 1130 until 1816, after the Napoleonic wars, when it was combined with the mainland Kingdom of Naples under a Bourbon monarchy as the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. During Italy's unification the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies was incorporated in the new Kingdom of Italy in 1861. Today the island is an autonomous region of the Italian Republic.

Sicily was divided into nine provinces but in 2015 the provinces were reorganized as metropolitan cities or municipal consortia. This page includes the lighthouses of the four former eastern provinces of Messina, Catania, Siracusa, and Ragusa. Lighthouses of Agrigento, Trapani, and Palermo are on the Western Sicily page.

The Italian word for a lighthouse is faro, plural fari. This name is usually reserved for the larger coastal lights; smaller beacons are called fanali. In Italian isola is an island, isolotto is an islet, secca is a shoal, cabo is a cape, punta is a point of land, baia is a bay, stretto is a strait, fiume is a river, and porto is a harbor.

Aids to navigation in Italy are operated and maintained by the Italian Navy's Servizio dei Fari e del Segnalamento Marittimo (Lighthouse and Maritime Signal Service). Lighthouse properties are naval reservations, generally fenced and closed to the public.

ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. EF numbers are from the Italian Navy's light list, Elenco dei Fari e Segnali da Nebbia. Admiralty numbers are from volume E of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA List numbers are from Publication 113.

General Sources
Fari e Segnalamenti
Lighthouse information from the Italian Navy's Servizio dei Fari.
Cyberlights Lighthouses - Italy
Additional photos of Italian lighthouses by Egidio Ferrighi, posted by Gary Richardson and Anna Klein.
Online List of Lights - Italy
Photos by various photographers posted by Alexander Trabas. Many of these photos are by Capt. Peter Mosselberger ("Capt. Peter").
Neal's Lighthouses - Italy
Photos and blog entries by Neal Doan.
Wikimedia: Lighthouses in Italy
Photos by various photographers available in Wikimedia Commons.
World of Lighthouses - Italy
Photos by various photographers available from Lightphotos.net.
Lighthouses in Italy
Aerial photos posted by Marinas.com.
Italienische Leuchttürme auf Historischen Postkarten
Historic postcard images posted by Klaus Huelse.
GPSNavigationCharts
Navigation chart for Sicily.
Navionics Charts
Navigation chart for Eastern Sicily.
 


Capo Peloro Light, Messina
photo copyright Egidio Ferrighi; used by permission

Metropolitan City of Messina (Northeastern Sicily) Lighthouses

Aeolian Islands Lighthouses
The Aeolian Islands (Isole Eolie) are a group of volcanic islands in the Tyrrhenian Sea north and northwest of Milazzo. Lipari and Salina, the largest islands, are at the center of the group. The islands include the famous volcanos of Stromboli, at the northeastern corner of the group, and Vulcano (which gave its name to all volcanos) at the southern corner. The islands are popular tourist destinations readily accessible by ferry from Milazzo and Messina.
Strombolicchio (Stromboli, Scoglio Strombolicchio)
1905. Active; focal plane 58 m (190 ft); three white flashes every 15 s. 13 m (43 ft) cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery, painted white, mounted on a square 1-story stone service building. George Keith's photo is at right, Trabas has Capt. Peter's photo, and Google has a satellite view. Jimmy Karlsson's photo and Marinas.com's aerial photos show the remarkable situation of the lighthouse. Strombolicchio is a rocky outcrop (a volcanic plug) about 1.5 km (1 mi) northeast of the village of Stromboli, which clings to the northeastern corner of the island of the same name. The volcano of Stromboli is famous for being in almost continuous eruption since the time of the Romans, with no end in sight. In fact, the fire of the volcano is almost as reliable a navigational aid as any lighthouse. Located atop the islet, a location inaccessible to most lighthouse fans, but there are good views from the waterfront of Stromboli and from ferries arriving there. Accessible only by boat. A concrete stairway of over 200 steps reaches the lighthouse, but visits appear hazardous. Site open but dangerous, tower closed. . ARLHS ITA-163; EF-3310; Admiralty E1802; NGA 9844.
* Punta Peppemaria (Panarea)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); flash every 5 s, white or red light depending on direction. 7 m (23 ft) skeletal mast atop a 2-story building. Trabas has Arno Siering's photo and Google has a satellite view. Located on a promontory in downtown Panarea, the principal settlement on the island of the same name, halfway between Stromboli and Salina. Site open, tower closed. EF-3306; Admiralty E1800; NGA 9840.
* Capo Faro (Salina) (2)
Date unknown (station established 1884). Active; focal plane 56 m (184 ft); white light, 2 s on, 4 s off. 3rd order Fresnel lens seen in Riccardo Tosi's photo, 12 m (39 ft) cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery, adjoining but not attached to a 1-story keeper's house. Entire lighthouse painted white; lantern dome is gray metallic. Trabas has a closeup by Capt. Peter, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. Located on the coastal highway at Capo Faro, the northeastern corner of the island of Salina, about 3 km (2 mi) east of Malfa. Accessible by road; parking available. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS ITA-020; EF-3296; Admiralty E1798; NGA 9848.
Faro di Strombolicchio
Strombolicchio Light, Stromboli, October 2005
ex-Flickr Creative Commons photo by George Keith
** Punta Lingua
1920s or 1930s . Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); white flash every 3 s. 12 m (39 ft) cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery, adjoining but not attached to a 1-story keeper's house. Tower painted white; lantern dome is gray metallic. The house is abandoned and unpainted. Trabas has a photo by Capt. Peter, Igor Masci has a closeup, a 2008 photo is available, Wikimedia has a distant view, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. In 2019 the renovated keeper's house was opened as a museum, the Museo del Mare e del sale (Museum of the Sea and Salt). Located at the end of a spit in the village of Lingua, at the southeastern corner of Salina. It should be possible to reach the lighthouse by a short walk. Site open, tower closed. . ARLHS ITA-250; EF-3300; Admiralty E1796; NGA 9852.
* [Marina Corta (Lipari) (1 and 2)]
2014 (?) (station established 1915). Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); three white flashes every 15 s. 8 m (26 ft) white concrete post atop a stone arch. Trabas has a good photo by Capt. Peter, Frank Hellingrath has a street view, and Google has a satellite view. This light replaced the cast iron lantern seen in the Navy's views and near the right edge of Hellingrath's street view. An earlier Lipari lighthouse (established 1867) had a focal plane of 57 m (187 ft). Located at the Marina Corta on the south end of the waterfront in Lipari, the principal town of the island of Lipari. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS ITA-222; EF-3284; Admiralty E1792; NGA 9836.
Vulcano (Punta dei Porci, Faro di Gelso) (2)
1887 (station established 1853). Active; focal plane 35 m (115 ft); four white flashes every 20 s. 31 m (102 ft) octagonal stone tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a 2-story masonry keeper's house. Lighthouse painted white; lantern dome is gray metallic. Part of a Google street view is at right, Luciano Favaro has a 2023 photo, Trabas has a view from the sea by Capt. Peter, Luciano Bassani has a 2017 photo, and Google has a satellite view. The older photos such as Massi Dex's 2007 photo show a deteriorating lighthouse in need of restoration, but Google's 2013 street view at right shows improvement. The lighthouse was apparently shortened by 10 m (33 ft) sometime after 1948, possibly as a result of damage during World War II. The island of Vulcano has a permanent population of less than 500. The last major eruption of its namesake volcano (for which all other volcanos are named) was in 1888-90. Located at the southern tip of the island. Accessible by 4WD vehicles or by walking 400 m (1/4 mi) from the end of the road at Gelso. Site status unknown, tower closed. . ARLHS ITA-213; EF-3280; Admiralty E1786; NGA 9824.

Vulcano Light, Vulcano, December 2013
Google Maps street view

Capo d'Orlando Lighthouse
* Capo d'Orlando
1904. Active; focal plane 27 m (89 ft); two long (2 s) flashes every 12 s. 11 m (36 ft) octagonal cylindrical masonry tower attached to the seaward side of a 1-story masonry keeper's house. Lighthouse unpainted; lantern dome is gray metallic. A 2022 photo by Fenice Ash is at right, Antonio Fabio has a 2019 photo, Trabas has a good closeup by Capt. Peter, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a fine satellite view and a street view from below the lighthouse. Located off the Via Andrea Doria on the point of the cape in the town of Capo d'Orlando. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS ITA-018; EF-3264; Admiralty E2038; NGA 9856.

Milazzo Lighthouse
*
Capo Milazzo (2)
1891 (station established 1853). Active; focal plane 90 m (295 ft); white light, 2 s on, 4 s off. 10 m (34 ft) round concrete tower with four buttresses and a lantern. The lighthouse is unpainted. Trabas has Capt. Peter's photo, a 2021 photo and another photo are available, Michele Ferullo has a distant view, Gregor Pollmann has a street view, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. In 2017 the lighthouse was leased to investors who plan to develop it as a luxury retreat with five suites. Capo Milazzo is a long, finger-like peninsula projecting due north into the Tyrrhenian Sea. The harbor of Milazzo is sheltered on the east side of the base of the peninsula. The lighthouse is located at the end of the Via Sant'Antonio near the tip of the cape. Site open, tower closed. . ARLHS ITA-026; EF-3268; Admiralty E2042; NGA 9796.

Capo d'Orlando Light, Capo d'Orlando, September 2022
Google Maps photo by Fenice Ash

Messina Lighthouses
Only 4 km (2.5 mi) wide at its northern end, the famous Strait of Messina separates the mainland region of Calabria from the island of Sicily. A natural whirlpool develops at the entrance to the strait, making this passage a dangerous one. In legend this was the home of Scylla and Charybdis, sea monsters who dwelled on either side of the narrow passage, Scylla on the Calabrian side and Charybdis on the Sicilian, drowning sailors who passed too close to one or the other. There has been a long-running controversy in Italy about building a bridge across the strait, which is technically feasible but would be very expensive. In October 2006 parliament voted narrowly to shelve plans for the bridge. The project was revived in 2009, cancelled again in 2013, and revived again in 2023.
Capo Rasocolmo
1932. Active; focal plane 85 m (279 ft); three white flashes every 10 s. 13 m (43 ft) 4-story concrete building with a lantern on the roof. The lighthouse is unpainted. Trabas has Capt. Peter's photo, Nicola di Maria has a 2023 photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view and a very distant street view. Capo Rasocolmo is the northernmost point of the island of Sicily. Located on a promontory about 1.5 km (1 mi) west southwest of the actual cape and 3 km (2 mi) northeast of San Saba on the coastal road. Site status unknown; the entrance to the light station is unmarked. ARLHS ITA-032; EF-3276; Admiralty E2046; NGA 9792.
* Torre degli Inglesi (Torre di Capo Peloro)
Date unknown (1894?). Inactive since the 1930s (?). Approx. 21 m (70 ft) semielliptical stone tower, part of a medieval fortress. Massimo Mastronardo has a photo, Maria Patrizia Rossitto has a closeup photo, a view from the sea is available, Maurizio Giordano has a closeup street view, and Google has a satellite view. According to historic light lists collected by Michel Forand a "temporary" light was shown "on the east angle" of the fort during the 1890s; the focal plane of this light was 16 m (52 ft). The historic postcard view of the original Capo Peloro lighthouse posted by Huelse shows a lantern atop the main tower of the fort; this view must date from around 1900. A 1920 list mentions a "turret on tower of old fort," established in 1916, with a focal plane of 26 m (85 ft), in good agreement with the postcard view. The light was probably discontinued when the restored Capo Peloro lighthouse went back into service in the 1930s (see next entry). Located at the extreme northeast point of the cape. Site status unknown but probably open, tower probably closed. . ARLHS ITA-306.
Capo Rasocolmo Light
Capo Rasocolmo Light, San Saba
photo copyright Arno Siering; used by permission
* Capo Peloro (2)
1884 (station established 1853). Active; focal plane 37 m (121 ft); two green flashes every 10 s; also a red light, 2.5 s on, 2.5 s off, is shown from a second lantern at 22 m (72 ft) to warn ships away from a nearby shoal. 37 m (121 ft) octagonal masonry tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a 1-story masonry keeper's house. Lighthouse painted with black and white horizontal bands; lantern dome is gray metallic. Ferrighi's photo appears at the top of this page, Trabas has a good photo by Capt. Peter, Wikimedia has a good photo, Claudio Panebianco has a photo showing the Torre degli Inglesi on the left and the mainland across the strait, Antonio Cali has a 2023 closeup, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. This elegant lighthouse marks the extreme northeastern tip of Sicily and the west side of the entrance to the Strait of Messina from the Tyrrhenian Sea. The lighthouse originally had a height of 42 m (138 ft), as seen in the historic postcard view posted by Huelse. The building must have been heavily damaged in the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami of 28 December 1908, which destroyed 90% of the buildings in Messina and killed more than 100,000 people. Light lists indicate that the tower was out of service until sometime in the 1920s or 1930s and when it was restored the tower had been shortened to its present height. Located on the Via Lanterna in Torre Faro. Site open, tower closed. . ARLHS ITA-031; EF-2736; Admiralty E1806; NGA 9784.
* Messina Cable Tower
1957. Active; focal plane 233 m (764 ft); two continuous green lights, one above the other. 200 m (656 ft) square skeletal tower, painted with red and white horizontal bands. Trabas has Capt. Peter's photo and Google has a street view and a satellite view. This gigantic tower was built to carry overhead 220 kilovolt power lines across the strait. These lines were replaced by an undersea cable in 1993, but the tower remains and is regarded as a historic monument; it is one of the tallest such towers ever built. Located on the beach about 250 m (800 ft) south of the Capo Peloro Lighthouse. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty E1809; NGA 9788.
* Messina Port Office
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); two green flashes every 5 s. 12 m (39 ft) square skeletal tower, painted green, adjacent to a 1-story building. Trabas has a photo by Rainer Arndt and Google has a satellite view, but only the tip of the tower can be seen over the building in Google's street view. Located on the Messina waterfront at the foot of the Viale Boccetta. Site open, tower closed. EF-2770; Admiralty E1818; NGA 9780.
* Punta Secca
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); yellow light, 2 s on, 1 s off. 12 m (39 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Tower painted yellow-brown; lantern painted white. Trabas has a closeup photo by Capt. Peter and Google has a photo and a satellite view. There is another Punta Secca ("Dry Point") lighthouse at Ragusa (see below). Located at the northeastern tip of Punta Secca; Site open, tower closed. ARLHS ITA-278; EF-2758; Admiralty E1816; NGA 9772.
* Punta San Raineri (Torre Lanterna di Messina)
1555. Active; focal plane 41 m (135 ft); three white flashes every 15 s. 42 m (138 ft) 2-stage octagonal cylindrical masonry light tower with lantern and gallery, mounted atop a large square stone defensive watch tower. The light tower is painted with black and white horizontal bands; the lantern is white with a gray metallic dome; the square watch tower is unpainted stone. A 2021 photo by Gianluca Palumbo is at right, Trabas has another photo by Captain Peter, Wikimedia has Simon Praud's photo, Claudio Panebianco has a 2019 photo, Klein and Richardson have a page for the lighthouse, Marinas.com has aerial photos, Huelse has a historic postcard view, Vincenzo Nicita Mauro has a 2019 street view from the nearby beach, and Google has a satellite view. The watch tower is part of a complex of fortifications ordered in 1546 by Charles V, the Spanish Holy Roman Emperor, to defend Sicily against the Ottoman Turks. The tower extending it was added in 1857. Located off the Via Raineri on the east side (the outside) of the Punta Secca, a hook-like peninsula that protects the traditional harbor of Messina. Site open, tower closed. . ARLHS ITA-143; EF-2752; Admiralty E1814; NGA 9768.

San Raineri Light, Messina, October 2021
Instagram photo by Gianluca Palumbo

Metropolitan City of Catania (Central East Coast) Lighthouses

Riposto Lighthouse
* Riposto (Punta Chiancona) (1)
1903. Inactive since 1989. Approx. 8 m (26 ft) square cylindrical masonry tower centered on a 1-story masonry keeper's house. Lantern removed. Alfio Patane has a photo, Innocenzio Tropea has a 2023 closeup photo, another photo of the historic lighthouse is available (third photo on the page) and Google has a street view and a satellite view. Endangered: the building is clearly in poor condition. Located next door to the Coast Guard (Guardia Costiera) office at the base of the breakwater mole in Riposto, about 11 km (7 mi) north of Acireale. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS ITA-153.
* Riposto (Punta Chiancona) (2)
1989. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); white light, 2 s on, 3 s off. 6 m (20 ft) round white tower. Trabas has Capt. Peter's photo and Google has a street view and a satelllite view. Located atop the wall on the outside of the main breakwater at Riposto. Site open, tower closed. EF-2774; Admiralty E1822; NGA 10436.

Catania Lighthouses
* Capo Molini
1868. Active; focal plane 42 m (138 ft); three white flashes every 15 s. 20 m (66 ft) lantern mounted atop a square masonry building. Lighthouse painted white; the lantern is gray metallic. Trabas has Capt. Peter's closeup photo, Salvo Garozzo has a 2018 photo, Giambattista Pisasale has a street view, and Google has a satellite view. The tower, known as the Torre Sant'Anna, was built as part of a fortress in the late 1500s. The history of the light station is unclear; apparently the present lantern was installed in 1919. Located on the cape about 3 km (2 mi) south of Acireale and 10 km (6 mi) northeast of Catania. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS ITA-028; EF-2788; Admiralty E1826; NGA 10432.
#Catania Molo di Levante (1)
Date unknown. Removed. This was a 6 m (20 ft) round concrete block tower with lantern and gallery. The lighthouse was replaced first by a smaller beacon seen in Mose Brancato's 2018 street view; a recent Google satellite view shows that this beacon has also been removed. Following extension of the breakwater southward about 800 m (1/2 mi) the active light is now a modern post light, painted green (focal plane 12 m (39 ft); green light, 2 s on, 3 s off). Trabas has Capt. Peter's photo of the present light, Tobias Kroiss has a street view, and Google has a satellite view. Formerly located at what was then the end of the main breakwater of Catania. Site open. Modern light: EF-2802; Admiralty E1830; NGA 10420.
* Sciara Biscari (Catania) (2)
1951 (station established 1863). Active; focal plane 31 m (102 ft); white flash every 5 s. 28 m (92 ft) round masonry tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white; lantern dome is gray metallic. Trabas has Capt. Peter's photo (also seen at right), Haraszti Zoltan has a 2021 photo, a 2023 photo is available, Rosso Lavico has a 2014 photo, Huelse has a postcard view that must date from very soon after the lighthouse was built, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. We lack information on the original lighthouse, also described as a round white tower. Located at the south end of the Via Domenico Tempio on the Catania waterfront about 800 m (1/2 mi) south of the port area. Site open, tower closed. . ARLHS ITA-158; EF-2796; Admiralty E1828; NGA 10400.

Sciara Biscari Light, Catania, 2022
photo copyright Capt. Peter Mosselberger; used by permission

Free Municipal Consortium of Siracusa (Southeastern Sicily) Lighthouses

Augusta Area Lighthouses
* Brucoli (Castello Regina Giovanna)
1912. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); white flash every 5 s. 13 m (43 ft) octagonal masonry tower with lantern and gallery mounted at one corner of a 15th century castle. Light tower painted white with one red horizontal band on the seaward side; lantern dome is gray metallic. Trabas has Captain Peter's closeup, a 2021 photo and a view from the sea are available, Marco Restivo has a street view, and Google has a satellite view. The castle was built in the 1460s and named for Juana (Giovanna) Enriquez, the second wife of King Juan II of Aragon and Sicily and the mother of King Ferdinand II, who financed the discovery of the New World by Columbus. In 2015 the Navy offered a long-term lease of the light station for restoration and tourist development, and as a result the staton is now a boutique hotel and resort. Located on the waterfront of Brucoli, a small but ancient port about 6 km (3.5 mi) northwest of Augusta on the south shore of the Golfo di Catania. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Faro di Brucoli . ARLHS ITA-070; EF-2815; Admiralty E1836; NGA 10396.
* Capo Santa Croce
Date unknown (station established 1859). Active; focal plane 39 m (128 ft); two long (2 s) white flashes every 12 s. 27 m (89 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery, rising from one side of a square 1-story stone keeper's house. Lighthouse painted white; lantern dome is gray metallic. Gufetto Urbex has a 2020 photo (also seen at right), Trabas has a good photo by Captain Peter, Wikimedia has Paolo Costa Baldi's photo, a 2008 photo is available, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. The keeper's house has been renovated into several apartments. Located at the extreme tip of the cape, marking the northern end of the Golfo di Augusta. Site open, tower closed. . ARLHS ITA-035; EF-2820; Admiralty E1838; NGA 10392.
 

Capo Santa Croce Light, Augusta, September 2020
Google Maps photo by Gufetto Urbex
 
Torre Avalos (Forte d'Avalos) (4)
1858 (station established about 1570). Inactive since 1934. Approx. 17 m (56 ft) round stone tower with gallery, mounted on the wall of a ruined fortress. Lantern removed. The tower is painted in a black and white checkerboard pattern. Erika Montebello's photo is at right, Salvo Cannizzaro has a photo, and Google has a photo and a satellite view. Obviously endangered. The ancient port city of Augusta is built on an island at the northern end of the Golfo di Augusta. Around 1570 the Spanish viceroy Francisco Fernandez Avalos de Aquino built a fortress and lighthouse on a small sandy island off the south end of the city. Destroyed by attacking French troops in 1678, this first lighthouse was replaced two years later by the viceroy Francisco Benavides. The second tower was in service only 13 years before being toppled by the great earthquake of 1693. The third lighthouse, built in 1736, was patched up after most of the fortress was destroyed by a huge explosion of the powder magazine in 1823. Another earthquake knocked it out of service in 1848. Huelse has an antique postcard view of the fourth and final lighthouse, built in 1858. The Torre Avalos now stands inside a huge breakwater that encloses a large part of the northern end of the Golfo di Augusta; the construction of this breakwater made the lighthouse unnecessary. There is a wooden walkway from the breakwater to the old fort, but it does not appear to be open to the public. Located about 800 m (1/2 mi) south of the southern tip of Augusta. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. . ARLHS ITA-305.
Diga Settentrionale
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); two green flashes every 10 s. 12 m (39 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower mounted on a robust conical concrete pier. Entire lighthouse (including the pier) painted green. Trabas has Capt. Peter's photo and Google has a satellite view. Located off the end of the north breakwater of Augusta. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. EF-2844; Admiralty E1847; NGA 10320.
Diga Centrale
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); two red flashes every 10 s. 12 m (39 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower mounted on a robust conical concrete pier. Entire lighthouse (including the pier) painted red. Trabas has Capt. Peter's photo and Google has a satellite view. Located off the end of the detached central breakwater of Augusta. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. EF-2850; Admiralty E1848; NGA 10324.
* Punta Gennalena (Augusta Anteriore)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); white light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 8 m (29 ft) square cylindrical masonry tower rising from the seaward side of a 1-story masonry keeper's house. No lantern; the light is displayed through a round window near the top of the tower. The front face of the tower is painted black with a white vertical stripe. Trabas has Capt. Peter's photo, Stavros Ventouris has a 2020 photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the west shore of the Golfo di Augusta about 10 km (6 mi) southwest of the port of Augusta. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS ITA-249; EF-2826; Admiralty E1846; NGA 10328.

Forte d'Avalos Light, Augusta, November 2021
Instagram photo by Erika Montebello
* Dromo Giggia (Augusta Posteriore) (3)
Date unknown (station established 1895). Active; focal plane 79 m (259 ft); white light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 8 m (29 ft) square cylindrical masonry tower rising from the seaward side of a 1-story masonry keeper's house. No lantern; the light is displayed through a round window near the top of the tower. The front face of the tower is painted black with a white vertical stripe. Trabas has Capt. Peter's photo and Google has a fine satellite view. Located on a hillside about 3 km (2 mi) west of the Punta Gennalena (front) light and 800 m (1/2 mi) west of the old coastal highway. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS ITA-062; EF-2832; Admiralty E1846.1; NGA 10332.
* Penisola Magnisi (Punta Magnisi)
Date unknown (station established 1859). Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); four white flashes every 12 s. 6 m (20 ft) concrete post centered on the roof a small 1-story concrete equipment shelter. The post is white; the equipment shelter is painted with black and white horizontal bands. Trabas has Capt. Peter's photo, Hagen Zirpel has a 2022 closeup street view, Antonino Romano has a distant street view, and Google has a satellite view. The Penisola Magnisi is really an island in the Golfo di Augusta, connected tenuously to the mainland by a causeway built across a former sandbar. Located on the east point of the peninsula, about 5 km (3 mi) east of Priolo Gargallo. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS ITA-236; EF-2878; Admiralty E1860; NGA 10308.

Siracusa (Syracuse) Area Lighthouses
* Castello Maniace
Date unknown (station established 1858). Active; focal plane 27 m (89 ft); green flash every 3 s. 7 m (23 ft) round masonry tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on the walls of an ancient castle. Light tower painted green; lantern dome is gray metallic. A 2024 photo is at right, a 2011 photo and a 2008 photo are available, Trabas has Capt. Peter's photo, Giulio Tarascio has a street view, and Google has a satellite view. The castle was built in the 1230s by the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II and named for Georgios Maniakes (Giorgio Maniace in Italian), the Greek Byzantine general who briefly recovered Siracusa from Arab rule in 1038. The castle is a popular tourist attraction. Located at the end of a sharp promontory at the north side of the entrance to the harbor of Siracusa. Site and castle open, tower closed. . ARLHS ITA-193; EF-2886; Admiralty E1866; NGA 10248.

Castello Maniace Light, Siracusa, February 2024
Instagram photo by Casa affitti brevi Ortigia
* Caderini (Porto Grande Anteriore)
1903. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); red light, 1 s on, 1 s off. 8.5 m (28 ft) square cylindrical masonry tower rising from the seaward side of a 1-story masonry keeper's house. No lantern; the light is displayed through a square window near the top of the tower. The front face of the tower is painted in a red and white checkerboard pattern. Trabas has Capt. Peter's photo, Klaus Friese has a 2019 closeup, Giulio Tarascio has a street view, and Google's satellite view shows the station. Located off the Traversa Caderini, on the west shore of the Porto Grande, south of the city of Siracusa. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS ITA-003; EF-2894; Admiralty E1868; NGA 10252.
* Carrozziere (Porto Grande Posteriore)
1903. Active; focal plane 25 m (82 ft); white light occulting once every 5 s. 15 m (49 ft) square cylindrical masonry tower rising from the seaward side of a 1-story masonry keeper's house. No lantern; the light is displayed through a square window near the top of the tower. The front face of the tower is painted in a red and white checkerboard pattern. Trabas has Egidio Ferrighi's photo and Google has a satellite view and an October 2020 street view showing the lighthouse under restoration. Located on the Via Lido Sacramento at the Via Elorina about 1 km (0.6 mi) west of the Caderini (front) light. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS ITA-049; EF-2894.1; Admiralty E1868.1; NGA 10256.
* Punta Castelluccio
1864. Active; focal plane 21 m (69 ft); red flash every 3 s. Approx. 15 m (49 ft) octagonal cylindrical masonry tower with lantern and gallery, centered on the flat roof of a 2-story masonry keeper's house. The light tower is painted red, the house white; the lantern dome is gray metallic. Urszula Tymochowicz's 2023 photo is at right, Trabas has Capt. Peter's photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a point of land marking the south side of the entrance to the Porto Grande, the elliptical harbor of Siracusa. Site open, tower closed. . ARLHS ITA-244; EF-2888; Admiralty E1867; NGA 10244.
* Capo Murro di Porco
Date unknown (station established 1859). Active; focal plane 34 m (112 ft); white flash every 5 s. 20 m (66 ft) octagonal concrete (?) tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story keeper's house. Lighthouse painted white; lantern dome is gray metallic. Daniel da Rocha has a 2022 photo, Alfonso Vilches's May 2007 photo and Andrea Occhipinti's 2015 photo showed the lighthouse much in need of paint, Trabas also has a good photo by Capt. Peter, Wikimedia has a good photo by Alessandro Cataldo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, Antonio Zanghì has a 2017 street view, and Google has a satellite view. This is the landfall light for Siracusa. The cape is a rather sharp promontory that projects southeastward from the city and helps shelter the harbor. Located on the point of Capo Murro di Porco, in the town of the same name, about 12 km (7.5 mi) southeast of the Siracusa waterfront. Site open, tower closed. . ARLHS ITA-029; EF-2910; Admiralty E1876; NGA 10240.

Punta Castelluccio Light, Siracusa, April 2023
Instagram photo by Urszula Tymochowicz

Capo Passero Area Lighthouses
Capo Passero is the southeastern tip of Sicily. The shoals and reefs associated with the cape are among the best known hazards of the Mediterranean.
* Capo Passero
1871. Active; focal plane 39 m (128 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 19 m (62 ft) round masonry tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on the northeast corner of a large square fort. Lighthouse painted white; the lantern dome is gray metallic. Roberto Alvares's closeup photo is at right, Trabas has Capt. Peter's photo (also seen at right), Giuseppe Romeo has a 2021 photo, a distant view is available, Marinas.com has aerial photos, Giorgio Santitto has a street view, and Google has a satellite view. The fort was built by the emperor Charles VI, who also held the title of King of Sicily, in the early 18th century. Located on the Isola Capo Passero, an island just off the point of the cape and the town of Portopalo di Capo Passero. The island is a protected nature reserve; boat transportation from the town is available. Site open, fort open, tower closed. . ARLHS ITA-060; EF-2922; Admiralty E1884; NGA 10228.
* Cozzo Spadaro
1864. Active; focal plane 82 m (269 ft); three quick white flashes every 15 s. 37 m (121 ft) octagonal masonry tower with lantern and gallery, rising from an octagonal base atop a square 1-story masonry keeper's house. 1st order Fresnel lens is in use. The lighthouse is unpainted white stone. Trabas has Capt. Peter's photo, a 2009 photo is available, Wikimedia has a photo, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. This important and historic lighthouse is the landfall light for Capo Passero, the southeastern corner of Sicily. Located on a hill beside the Via Pachino, on the northwest (landward) side of the town of Portopalo di Capo Passero. Site open, tower closed. . ARLHS ITA-057; EF-2918; Admiralty E1882; NGA 10224.
* Isola delle Correnti (1)
1865. Inactive since the late 2000s. 11 m (36 ft) octagonal tower with gallery, attached to a large 1-story building that was originally a fortification but was later used as quarters for the keepers. The tower is unpainted white stone. Andrea Leardini has a 2021 photo, Matteo Barbieri has a 2006 closeup photo, Trabas has a closeup photo by Capt. Peter, Marinas.com has good aerial photos, Giorgio Santitto has a street view, and Google has a satellite view. Sometime after Barbieri's photo was taken, the active light (focal plane 16 m (52 ft); white flash every 4 s) was moved to an round fiberglass tower standing in front of the historic lighthouse. The Isola della Correnti is a small island just off the southeastern tip of Sicily, about 8 km (5 mi) southwest of Portopalo di Capo Passero. The island is joined to the mainland rather tenuously by a sand bar that can be crossed (in good weather) on foot or by 4WD vehicles, except near the time of high tide. The island is popular for sunbathing and surfing but dangerous for swimming (the name means Island of the Currents). Located at the highest point of the island. Site open, tower closed. . ARLHS ITA-059. Active light: EF-2926; Admiralty E1886; NGA 10212.

Capo Passero Light, Portopalo di Capo Passero
photo copyright Capt. Peter Mosselberger; used by permission

Free Municipal Consortium of Ragusa (Eastern South Coast) Lighthouses

Pozzallo Lighthouses
#Scogli Porri (Sullo Scoglio Maggiore) (1)
Date unknown. Destroyed. Formerly a 1-story concrete equipment room with the light displayed from a short skeletal tower atop the building. That tower was removed and the active light (focal plane 10 m (33 ft); two white flashes every 6 s) was moved to a short mast nearby. Trabas has Capt. Peter's photo showing that the equipment building has been destroyed and only the mast remains. Google has a satellite view of the reef. The Scogli Porri are dangerous rocks off Santa Maria del Focallo, about 8 km (5 mi) southeast of Pozzallo. Located on the largest of the rocks. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS ITA-159; EF-2930; Admiralty E1888; NGA 10208
* Pozzallo (4)
Date unknown (station established 1883). Inactive since 2011. 10 m (33 ft) semicircular cylindrical concrete tower with gallery and a small lantern, rising from the front of the port captain's office. Lighthouse painted with red and white horizontal bands. Arno Siering's photo is at right and Google has a street view and a satellite view. The light here was originally shown from a customs house, possibly the same building to which the present lighthouse is attached. In 1905 a skeletal tower was installed; it was replaced by a lighthouse sometime during the 1920s or 1930s. In 2011 the light was moved to a new tower on the breakwater (next entry). Siering's photo shows that the lighthouse is being well maintained. Located on the waterfront at Pozzallo, on the Via della Sirene at the foot of the Via Aristodemo. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS ITA-241; ex-Admiralty E1890; ex-NGA 10196.
Pozzallo Porto Commerciale
2011. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); four white flashes every 12 s. 15 m (49 ft) round tapered 2-stage tower with double gallery; the lower stage is concrete and the upper stage is fiberglass. Entire lighthouse is white. Trabas has Capt. Peter's photo and Google has a satellite view. Located at the elbow of the main breakwater of Pozzallo. Site status unknown, but the tower can be seen from the waterfront and from ferries sailing between Pozzallo and Malta. EF-2934; Admiralty E1889.05; NGA 10196.

Ragusa Lighthouses
* Marina di Ragusa (Sulla Spiaggia)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); red flash every 5 s. 12 m (39 ft) square cylindrical masonry tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white; lantern is gray metallic. Trabas has Capt. Peter's photo, Massimiliano Zacco has a photo, Andreas Köhler has a photo, Giuseppe Scalici has a street view from the beach, and Google has a satellite view. Located across the street from the base of the east breakwater of Marina di Ragusa, about 6 km (4 mi) east of Punta Secca. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS ITA-223; EF-2941; Admiralty E1894; NGA 10188.

Pozzallo Light, Pozzallo, July 2014
ex-Panoramio photo copyright Arno Siering; used by permission
* Scaramia (Capo Scalambri, Punta Secca)
Date unknown (station established 1859). Active; focal plane 37 m (121 ft); two long (1.5 s) white flashes every 8 s. 34.5 m (113 ft) round tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white; lantern dome is gray metallic. Kristina Mihailyus has a 2018 photo (a portion is seen at right), Trabas has Capt. Peter's closeup photo, Wikimedia has a good photo, a 2008 photo is available, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. Located adjacent to the small harbor of Punta Secca, about 25 km (15 mi) southwest of Ragusa and 5 km (3 mi) west of Marina di Ragusa. Site open, tower closed. . ARLHS ITA-042; EF-2942; Admiralty E1896; NGA 10184.

Vittoria Lighthouse
* Scoglitti
Date unknown (station established 1914). Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); three white flashes every 10 s. 13 m (43 ft) octagonal cylindrical tower with lantern and double gallery, centered on the roof of a 1-story keeper's house. Tower painted white, house painted white with unpainted stone trim; the lantern dome is gray metallic. Trabas has Capt. Peter's photo, Nigel Whitfield has a photo, a night time photo is available, Jo Han has a photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. We need information on the history of this lighthouse, since the tower is modern in appearance and the house seems to be much older. Located on the Via Amalfi, the seaside street, on the south side of Scoglitti, about 12 km (7.5 mi) southwest of Vittoria. Site open, tower closed. . ARLHS ITA-080; EF-2946; Admiralty E1898; NGA 10180.

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

Adjoining pages: East: Calabria and Basilicata | West: Western Sicily

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Capo Scalambri Light, Ragusa, April 2018
Google Maps photo by Kristina Mihailyus

Posted July 18, 2006. Checked and revised February 15, 2024 Lighthouses: 41. Site copyright 2024 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.