Name and Location

The Faro di Capo dell'Armi is an active major coastal light located in Calabria, Italy, marking the southern tip of the Aspromonte promontory overlooking the Ionian Sea. The lighthouse is situated on a rocky headland approximately 95 meters above sea level.

Construction and History

The exact year of construction for the Faro di Capo dell'Armi is not publicly available. However, it is speculated to have been built in the mid-20th century. Historically, Capo dell'Armi has been a strategic lookout point since antiquity. During the Calabrian earthquakes and 1908 Messina tsunami, local accounts report sightings of the light guiding survivors to safer ground.

Architecture and Materials

The Faro di Capo dell'Armi is a cylindrical masonry lighthouse on a concrete base with a white-washed coating. The original lantern room is made of painted steel and glass. The tower height is not specified in public sources, but the focal plane is approximately 95 meters above sea level.

Light and Navigation

The light characteristic is Group flashing 2 white every 10 seconds (Fl (2) W 10 s). The range is 22 nautical miles nominal and 18 nautical miles reserve. The sectors visible from 295° to 148° true. The focal height is 95 meters above sea level, and the light source is a high-intensity electric lamp.

Accessibility and Visiting

The tower and lantern room are closed to visitors. Grounds can be reached by car or bicycle via Strada Statale 106 Jonica; parking available at a small lay-by approximately 200 meters north. An adjacent panoramic terrace (Via Belvedere) offers expansive views of the Ionian coast, Sicily's northern tip on clear days, and the Aspromonte massif inland.

Notable Views and Landscape

The surrounding landscape is characterized by low Mediterranean scrub, olive groves to the north, and clear views southward over the Ionian Sea. On a clear day, you can see Sicily's northern tip from the adjacent panoramic terrace (Via Belvedere).

Anecdotes and Folklore

Fishermen of Motta San Giovanni speak of "La Lanterna dei Matti" ("The Madmen's Lantern")—a nickname born from legends that storm-driven sailors once mistook its flashes for a wayward ghost ship dancing on the waves.

Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse is fully automated and unmanned since late 20th century. Routine maintenance by navy technical teams ensures the light remains operational. The managing authority is the Servizio Fari e Segnalamenti, Marina Militare (Italian Navy). The lighthouse continues as a primary aid to navigation for local fishing boats, commercial shipping, and pleasure craft.

Further Information

For detailed archival history or technical plans, contact the Marina Militare or the Motta San Giovanni municipal archives.