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San Giorgio Maggiore Lighthouse

Isola di San Giorgio Maggiore 4, Bookshop sul lato sinistro della Basilica, 30133 Venezia VE, Italy

Name and Location

The San Giorgio Maggiore Lighthouse is a historic lighthouse located on Isola di San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice, Italy.

Construction and History

The San Giorgio Maggiore Lighthouse was built in 1726 by engineer Giovanni Fontana, with contributions from architect Tommaso Temanza. It is one of the oldest lighthouses in Italy and played a crucial role in guiding sailors through the treacherous waters of the Venetian Lagoon.

Architecture and Materials

The San Giorgio Maggiore Lighthouse is an example of Baroque architecture, characterized by its ornate façade and imposing structure. The tower stands 35 meters tall, with a diameter of approximately 6 meters. The lighthouse's design features a series of arches and columns, topped with a copper dome and a lantern room.

Light and Navigation

The San Giorgio Maggiore Lighthouse was originally designed to serve as a beacon for ships navigating the Venetian Lagoon. Its original light source was an oil lamp, which was later replaced by electricity in the 20th century. Today, the lighthouse is no longer used for navigation purposes but remains an important cultural and historical landmark.

Accessibility and Visiting

The San Giorgio Maggiore Lighthouse is open to visitors and has been restored to its original glory. Visitors can climb the tower and enjoy stunning views of the Venetian Lagoon and the city of Venice. The lighthouse also houses a bookshop and a museum, which showcases the history and significance of the structure.

Notable Views and Landscape

Visitors can enjoy stunning views of the Venetian Lagoon and the city of Venice from the top of the tower.

Anecdotes and Folklore

No anecdotes or folklore are available for this lighthouse.

Technical and Operational Details

The San Giorgio Maggiore Lighthouse stands at an elevation of 15 meters above sea level. Its original light source was an oil lamp, which was later replaced by electricity in the 20th century.

Further Information

The GeoJSON properties provide the coordinates and geometry of the lighthouse.

Details

NameSan Giorgio Maggiore Lighthouse
CityVenice
CountryItaly
Coordinates45.4301504, 12.3431988
Year of construction1726
Historic significanceplayed a crucial role in guiding sailors through the treacherous waters of the Venetian Lagoon
Architectural styleBaroque
ArchitectGiovanni Fontana
Focal height49
Tower height35
Renovationsrestored to its original glory
Accessibletrue
View descriptionstunning views of the Venetian Lagoon and the city of Venice
Guided tourstrue
Facilitiesbookshop, museum
Automatedfalse