Name and Location

The Punta San Raineri Lighthouse, also known as Torre della Lanterna Montorsoli, is located at the northern entrance to the Strait of Messina in Sicily, Italy. The lighthouse marks the rocky promontory of Punta San Raineri and serves as a primary aid to navigation for vessels transiting between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Ionian Sea.

Address: Via S. Raineri, 86, 98122 Messina ME, Italy
Town/Municipality: Messina, Metropolitan City of Messina, Sicily, Italy
Coordinates: 38°11′36.7″ N, 15°34′27.1″ E
Map link (Google Maps): https://www.google.com/maps?q=38.1935287,15.5741907

2. Construction and History

The Punta San Raineri Lighthouse was constructed with its exact date of construction unknown. The masonry tower may have been built during the modernization of earlier coastal watchtowers in the mid-20th century. Local tradition identifies the base with a watchtower attributed to the Renaissance sculptor-architect Giovanni Angelo Montorsoli, but documentary evidence is lacking.

3. Architecture and Materials

The Punta San Raineri Lighthouse is a major coastal light made of masonry or concrete, typical for Sicilian lighthouses of major importance. The color and markings of the tower are not documented in seamark data.

4. Light and Navigation

The Punta San Raineri Lighthouse emits a Group flashing of three white flashes every 15 seconds (Fl(3) W 15s). The focal height is approximately 41 meters above mean sea level, with a range of 22 nautical miles (nominal) and 17 nautical miles (reserve circuit).

5. Accessibility and Visiting

The Punta San Raineri Lighthouse does not have official visitor facilities or guided tours available to the public. The grounds may be fenced and located on military or restricted-access land.

• Access Route: via Via San Raineri from the Falchida district of Messina; steep coastal road descends to the headland
• Visitor Amenities: none recorded

6. Notable Views and Landscape

The Punta San Raineri Lighthouse offers panoramic views of Calabria to the north and Sicily to the south, with a landscape of rocky cliffs overlooking the narrowest stretch of the Strait of Messina.

• Nearby Attractions:

7. Anecdotes and Folklore

According to local tradition, the base of the lighthouse is associated with a watchtower attributed to the Renaissance sculptor-architect Giovanni Angelo Montorsoli. However, documentary evidence is lacking to confirm this story.

8. Technical and Operational Details

The Punta San Raineri Lighthouse is an active, automated light, fully automated since electrification and remote monitoring. The managing authority is not explicitly listed, but most Italian coastal lights fall under the jurisdiction of the Italian Navy's Lighthouse Service (Servizio Fari – Marina Militare).

9. Further Information

• Further Information: