Faro di Punta Penna
Faro di Punta Penna, Via Punta Penna, 66054 Zona Industriale Porto di Vasto CH, Italy
Name and Location
Faro di Punta Penna is the main lighthouse marking the promontory of Punta Penna on Italy's Adriatic coast, in the municipality of Vasto (Province of Chieti, Abruzzo). The lighthouse stands at 70 m tall on a rocky headland at an elevation of 84 m above sea level. Its address is Via Punta Penna, Zona Industriale Porto di Vasto, 66054 Vasto CH, Italy, and its coordinates are 42.1710427 N, 14.7146326 E.
Construction and History
Faro di Punta Penna was constructed starting on May 2, 1948, to replace older aids and improve safety along a stretch of coast historically affected by shipwrecks. The exact completion date is not specified in the source.
Architecture and Materials
The lighthouse features a tall cylindrical masonry tower with a gallery and lantern. The core is made of reinforced concrete or brick, clad in smooth white render. The tower stands at 70 m in height, with a total elevation above sea level of 84 m.
Light and Navigation
Faro di Punta Penna still serves as an active aid to navigation, managed by the Italian Navy (Marina Militare). Its light characteristic is not specified but is typical of a group flash every 15 seconds. The lighthouse's focal plane is at an elevation of 84 m above sea level.
Accessibility and Visiting
The exterior platform and surrounding headland are freely accessible on foot via Via Penna Luce. The tower interior is not regularly open to visitors, but guided visits can be arranged through the Comune di Vasto or local tourist office.
Notable Views and Landscape
From its location, the lighthouse offers a panoramic view over the Gulf of Vasto, with clear sightlines to the Gargano promontory to the north and the Maiella massif inland. The site lies adjacent to a small pebble beach and a natural rocky shoreline with Mediterranean scrub.
Anecdotes and Folklore
- Punta Penna beach is famous for its natural rock formation called "Roccia del Crocifisso," historically used by seafarers as a landmark.
Technical and Operational Details
The lighthouse is automated, with no resident keeper since the late 20th century. It is managed by the Servizio Fari–Marina Militare (Lighthouse Service of the Italian Navy) and features in nautical charts published by the Istituto Idrografico della Marina.
Further Information
For further information, visit the Marina Militare Lighthouse Service website at http://www.marina.difesa.it/EN/thefleet/seafleet/Pagine/Marifari.aspx or consult the Italian Wikipedia page on Faro di Punta Penna at it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faro_di_Punta_Penna.
Details
| Name | Faro di Punta Penna |
|---|---|
| City | Vasto |
| Country | Italy |
| Coordinates | 42.1710427, 14.7146326 |
| Year of construction | 1948 |
| Historic significance | erected in the post-World-War II period to replace older aids and improve safety along a stretch of coast historically affected by shipwrecks. |
| Stories | Punta Penna beach is famed for a natural rock formation called 'Roccia del Crocifisso,' historically used by seafarers as a landmark. |
| Architectural style | tall cylindrical masonry tower with gallery and lantern |
| Construction material | "reinforced concrete or brick core, clad in smooth white render" |
| Focal height | 84 |
| Tower height | 70 |
| Access description | from Vasto town center take SP19 toward the industrial port area, then follow signage for 'Faro di Punta Penna.' Parking is available near the base. |
| Accessible | true |
| Landscape type | rocky promontory (Punta Penna) protruding into the Gulf of Vasto on the Adriatic Sea |
| View description | panoramic view over the Gulf of Vasto, with clear sightlines to the Gargano promontory to the north and the Maiella massif inland. |
| Guided tours | true |
| Facilities | toilets, café, gift shop |
| Nearby attractions | ["Vasto's old town, the medieval castle, seaside promenade ('Punta Aderci' nature reserve ~5 km north)"] |
| Light characteristic | "Fl(3)W.15s" |
| Automated | true |