Name and Location

Faro di Porto d'Ischia (also known as Faro Porto Dischia) is a small harbour light located in Ischia, an island in the Gulf of Naples, Campania, Italy. It marks the entrance to the main port of Ischia.

Construction and History

The construction date of the lighthouse is not publicly documented, but it likely dates back to the late 19th or early 20th century, coinciding with harbour-improvement works under the Bourbon or early Italian state. The architect and style of the structure are unknown, and it was built using painted masonry or concrete materials mounted on a low concrete mole foundation.

Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse stands on a working breakwater, overlooking the Bay of Naples. Its exact height is not publicly available, but it is estimated to be around 5-8 meters above mean sea level. The light range is approximately 5-8 nautical miles, typical for small harbour beacons.

Light and Navigation

The lighthouse emits a single-white-flash every few seconds (characteristic: Fl W 3s), serving as an aid to navigation for vessels entering and leaving Porto d'Ischia. It is fully automated, powered by solar energy and featuring an automated lamp-changer unit.

Accessibility and Visiting

Visitors can walk along the harbour mole and photograph the structure from outside, but there is no public interior access. The lighthouse stands on a working breakwater, making it difficult to access the internal space. Nearby cafés and marina services are available in Porto d'Ischia.

Notable Views and Landscape

From the mole, one can enjoy panoramic views across the Bay of Naples, including the Castel dell'Ovo and Mount Vesuvius to the north, and the Phlegraean Islands (Procida, Vivara) to the west. At sunset, the light glimmers against the silhouette of the medieval Aragonese Castle, perched on a rocky islet just offshore.

Anecdotes and Folklore

Local fishermen refer to the lighthouse as "il faro piccolo" ("the little lighthouse"), distinguishing it from the larger Castello Aragonese beacon. Despite its long history, there are no widely recorded shipwrecks or keeper anecdotes.

Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse is managed by the Italian Navy's Lighthouse Service (Servizio Fari – Marina Militare) and serves as an active aid to navigation for vessels entering and leaving Porto d'Ischia. There is no radar installation on site, but the port itself may broadcast AIS information.

Further Information

For more information, please consult the following resources: Italian Chart (Istituto Idrografico della Marina), ADMIRALTY Chart 1861 (Naples to Capri), and local tourism portal (www.comune.ischia.na.it).