Name and Location

The Faro di Capo Spartivento is an active coastal lighthouse located in Palizzi, Calabria, Italy. It marks the southernmost promontory of Calabria on the Ionian coast.

2. Construction and History

The Faro di Capo Spartivento was constructed in the 19th century to warn shipping of the headland and aid coastal traffic between Calabria and Sicily. The exact year of inauguration is not available.

3. Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse tower is a masonry structure with an adjacent single-storey keeper's house (now unoccupied). Both the tower and keeper's quarters are painted white, with the lantern room typically featuring a red roof, following the standard Italian scheme.

4. Light and Navigation

Although specific details on light range and characteristic are unavailable, the lighthouse remains operational under Marina Militare. It guides vessels navigating the Strait of Sicily and the Gulf of Squillace.

5. Accessibility and Visiting

The public can access the exterior of the lighthouse tower via Via Faro Capo Spartivento, but the tower itself is closed to visitors. No visitor center or guided-tour service is currently offered. Facilities such as toilets or a café are not available on-site.

6. Notable Views and Landscape

The surrounding landscape features dramatic coastal cliffs, Mediterranean macchia, and panoramic sea views. The nearby Villaggio Capo Spartivento, beaches of Palizzi and Brancaleone, and nature trails along the Ionian shore offer further attractions.

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8. Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse is managed by Marina Militare and remains fully automated, unmanned since late in the 20th century. Its nautical chart reference is Italian naval charts, FID 2686 E.F. (subject to confirmation).

9. Further Information

For further reading, consult the Italian Wikipedia article "Faro di Capo Spartivento (Calabria)" or the Marina Militare's online directory, Elenco dei fari italiani. The OpenStreetMap entry is also available at https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/258892949.