Lighthouses of Italy: Puglia

This page includes the lighthouses of the Italian region of Puglia (also known historically as Apulia). Puglia includes the Salento peninsula, the heel of the Italian "boot," which has its west coast on the Gulf of Taranto. Otherwise, this region faces east on the Strait of Otranto or northeast on the Adriatic Sea. The most important ports of the region are Taranto and Bari. Prior to the unification of Italy in 1861, all of the area was included in the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. The Italian word for a lighthouse is faro, plural fari. This name is usually reserved for the larger coastal lights; smaller beacons are called fanali. Aids to navigation are operated and maintained by the Italian Navy's Servizio dei Fari. Lighthouse properties are naval reservations, generally fenced and closed to the public. ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. EF numbers are from the Italian Navy's light list, Elenco Fari. Admiralty numbers are from volume E of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA List numbers are from Publication 113. General Sources Online List of Lights - Italy Photos posted by Alex Trabas. Il Faro di Han - Puglia Photos and historical information for seven major lighthouses. Egidio Ferrighi Excellent photos of Italian lighthouses posted by Egidio Ferrighi. Lighthouses in Italy Aerial photos posted by Marinas.com. Majaky: Italie Photos posted by Anna Krákorova. Wikimedia: Lighthouses in Italy Photos available in Wikimedia Commons. Italienische Leuchttürme auf Historischen Postkarten Historic postcard images posted by Klaus Huelse.

Faro di Santa Maria di Leuca, August 2005 Creative Commons photo by Valentina Paggiarin

Taranto Province Lighthouses
Note: Taranto is a major commercial port and also the traditional home port of the Italian Navy. The city's great elliptical harbor, called the Mar Grande, is enclosed by a long north breakwater and a much shorter south breakwater. The north breakwater is interrupted by several islands, the Isole Cheradi, and ends with a short section projecting southeastward from the Isolotto San Paolo.
Isolotto San Paolo (2)

Date unknown (station established 1867). Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); two red flashes every 7 s. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical tower with gallery and a small lantern, painted red. Trabas has a closeup photo, a distant photo is also available, and Google has a satellite view. The original lighthouse had a height of 24 m (79 ft). Located at the south end of the Taranto breakwater. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS ITA-214; EF-3440; Admiralty E2138; NGA 10648.

* Mare Piccolo Posteriore

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); quick-flashing red light. 10 m (33 ft) square concrete tower with gallery, painted with black and white vertical stripes. Trabas has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. The Mare Piccolo is an inner harbor of Taranto, connected to the Mar Grande by a narrow inlet. Located on the Via della Pineta on the north shore of the Mare Piccolo northeast of Taranto. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty E2152.1.

* Taranto Porto Mercantile East Mole

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); green flash every 5 s. 10 m (33 ft) round "bottle" light mounted on a round concrete tower with gallery. Lighthouse painted green. Trabas has a photo. This light marks the east side of the entrance to the Mare Piccolo from the Mar Grande. Located at the end of a short pier on the Taranto waterfront. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty E2146; NGA 10704.

Mar Grande Anteriore (Secca della Tarantola) (2)

Date unknown (station established 1887). Active; focal plane 12.5 m (41 ft); flash every 3 s, white on the range line and green otherwise. 11 m (36 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted green. Trabas has a photo, another good photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. This range guides ships outbound from Taranto across the Mar Grande. Located on a small artificial island off the southeast side of the Mar Grande. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS ITA-317; Admiralty E2150; EF-3450; NGA 10680.

* Mar Grande Posteriore (Casa Gigante)

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 21 m (69 ft); white light, 1.5 s on, 1.5 s off. 20 m (66 ft) square concrete block tower, painted with black and white vertical stripes. Trabas has a photo, a 2008 photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the Viale del Tramanto at the Via Meda on the waterfront on the north side of Capo San Vito. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS ITA-275; EF-3450.1; Admiralty E2150.1; NGA 10684.

Diga di San Vito

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 19 m (62 ft); two green flashes every 7 s. 19 m (59 ft) square steel skeletal tower with gallery, painted green. Trabas has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the south breakwater of Taranto. Accessible only by boat, as the breakwater is awash. Site and tower closed. ARLHS ITA-200; EF-3442; Admiralty E2134; NGA 10644.

* Capo San Vito

Date unknown (station established 1869). Active; focal plane 46 m (151 ft); three white flashes every 15 s. 43 m (141 ft) octagonal concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 2-story keeper's house. The tower is unpainted white concrete. Trabas has an excellent photo, a 2007 photo is available, also a second photo, and Google has a satellite view. Note: there is another Capo San Vito lighthouse, more properly known as San Vito lo Capo, in Sicily. Capo San Vito encloses the south side of the Mar Grande, Taranto's harbor. Located on the point of the cape at the end of the Via del Faro. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS ITA-040; EF-3432; Admiralty E2132; NGA 10640.

* Torre dell'Ovo

1919. Inactive since around 1960. 17 m (56 ft) fortified watch tower. Lantern removed. A distant photo is available. This is an Aragonese fortified tower built about 1550. Located on a promontory about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) southeast of Librari and 32 km (20 mi) southeast of Taranto. Site open. ARLHS ITA-322.

Western Lecce Province (Gallipoli Area) Lighthouses
Note: Lecce Province is the tip of the heel in the Italian boot, incorporating the lower Salento Peninsula and projecting southeastward into the Ionian Sea. Its major ports are Gallipoli on the west side of the peninsula and Otranto on the east side.

* Porto Cesareo Anteriore

Date unknown (station established 1914). Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); white light, 1 s on, 1 s off. 12 m (39 ft) square pyramidal skeletal tower mounted on a 2-story square building. The building is covered with tiles colored to display a black and white checkerboard pattern on the side facing the range. Trabas has a photo. Located on the waterfront in Porto Cesareo. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS-237; Admiralty E2164; NGA 10752.

* Porto Cesareo Posteriore

Date unknown (station established 1914). Active; focal plane 27 m (89 ft); white light, 2 s on, 1 s off. 15 m (49 ft) square cylindrical tower with a round lantern, gallery, and watch room. The building is covered with tiles colored to display a black and white checkerboard pattern on the side facing the range; lantern and watch room painted white. Trabas has a photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the Via Giuseppe Garibaldi near Via 70 in Porto Cesareo, 765 m (1/2 mi) north northeast of the front light. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS-238; Admiralty E2164.1; NGA 10756.

* Gallipoli Molo di Sottoflutto Date unknown. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); red light, 2 s on, 3 s off. 9 m (30 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse painted red. Trabas has a closeup photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the short inner mole of Gallipoli. Accessible by walking the mole. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty E2172.2; NGA 10765. * Gallipoli Molo di Tramontana Date unknown (station established 1914). Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); green light, 2 s on, 3 s off. 7 m (23 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on a square stone base. Entire lighthouse painted green. Trabas has a closeup photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the breakwater mole of Gallipoli. Accessible by walking the mole. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty E2172; NGA 10764. Isola Sant'Andrea 1866. Active; focal plane 45 m (148 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 43 m (141 ft) octagonal concrete tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a 2-story keeper's house. The entire lighthouse is white; lantern is gray metallic. Trabas has a good photo, Leonardo Bray has a 2007 photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a good satellite view. The Isola Sant'Andrea is a flat, sandy island about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) off the waterfront of Gallipoli. Located on the southwestern edge of the island. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS-084; EF-3562; Admiralty E2168; NGA 10760. * Torre San Giovanni Date unknown. Active; focal plane 23 m (75 ft); white or red light, depending on direction, 2 s on, 2 s off. Lantern mounted atop a late 16th century fortified watch tower. The front of the tower is painted in a bold black and white checkerboard pattern; the lantern is gray metallic. Federico Lucchini's photo is at right, Trabas has an excellent photo by Klaus Potschien, another photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. The tower, built by Carlos V of Spain, is one of a number of towers built in the late 1500s to guard against attacks by the Saracens. Located in the village of Torre San Giovanni, about 6 km (3.5 mi) southwest of Ugento. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS ITA-171; EF-3584; Admiralty E2174; NGA 10776.

Torre San Giovanni, April 2006 Creative Commons photo by Federico Lucchini

Eastern Lecce Province (Otranto Area) Lighthouses
* Capo Santa Maria di Leuca

1866. Active; focal plane 102 m (335 ft); three white flashes every 15 s; also a red light, occulting once every 4 s, is shown over shoals to the east. 48 m (158 ft) octagonal brick tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a 2-story keeper's house. The bricks of the lighthouse are covered with a white plaster. Valentina Paggiarin's photo appears at the top of the page, Trabas has a good photo, another closeup photo is available, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. The original first order lantern was replaced in 1954. Capo Santa Maria di Leuca is the tip of the Salento peninsula, so this historic lighthouse marks the western entrance to the Strait of Otranto and the Adriatic Sea. Located at the tip of the cape, at the end of the Via Francesco Pireca, in Leuca. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS ITA-039; EF-3590; Admiralty E2176; NGA 10780.

* Capo d'Otranto (La Palascia) (1) 1867. Inactive since the 1970s. 32 m (105 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a 2-story keeper's house. The entire lighthouse is white; lantern roof is gray. Ferrighi's photo appears at right, Ntoni Tutinu has a 2008 photo, Tino Morelli has a 2009 photo, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. This is Italy's easternmost lighthouse, marking the narrowest point of the Strait of Otranto, the mouth of the Adriatic Sea. Ham radio operator IK7JWX has a photo of the lighthouse that shows the sun rising over the Albanian coast on the other side of the strait. According to Faro di Han, the station rimasto in stato di abbandono (remained in a state of abandonment) for a number of years, but has now been ristrutturato (restructured). A photo shows the poor condition of the abandoned lighthouse, and another shows restoration work in progress. There is a plan to open the restored lighthouse as a museum, and the surrounding area is to become a park. Located on the point of the cape, about 5 km (3 mi) southeast of Otranto. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Comune di Otranto. ARLHS ITA-137. * Capo d'Otranto (La Palascia) (2) Date unknown. Active; focal plane 85 m (279 ft); white flash every 5 s. 8 m (26 ft) lantern mounted atop a square concrete structure. Trabas has a good photo by Klaus Potschien.The new light is 25 m (82 ft) higher than the old one, that is, it is higher on the steep slope of the cape. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS ITA-316; EF-3596; Admiralty E2178; NGA 10788.

Faro di Capo d'Otranto photo copyright Egidio Ferrighi; used by permission

* Otranto

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); three flashes every 10 s, white or red depending on direction. 9 m (30 ft) post light with gallery centered on a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse painted white. Trabas has a good photo by Klaus Potschien, Michele Renato has a 2007 photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the breakwater at Otranto. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty E2182; NGA 10792.

* Torre Sant'Andrea (Missipezza)

1932. Active; focal plane 24 m (79 ft); two flashes every 7 s, white or red depending on direction. 16 m (52 ft) lantern mounted atop a square masonry building. The seaward side of the building is painted in a bold black and white checkerboard pattern; the lantern is gray metallic. Trabas has a closeup photo by Klaus Potschien, a good photo of the land side is available, and Google has a satellite view. The lighthouse warns ships away from shoals nearby. Located about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) south of Torre dell'Orso. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS ITA-170; EF-3608; Admiralty E2188; NGA 10800.

* San Cataldo di Lecce (2)

1897 (station established 1866). Active; focal plane 25 m (82 ft); white light, 2 s on, 3 s off. 23.5 m (77 ft) octagonal masonry tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story keeper's house. Lighthouse painted white; lantern dome is gray metallic. Trabas has a photo by Klaus Potschien, Andrea Fistetto has a 2008 photo, another good closeup photo is available, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. This light is easily confused with the taller Punta San Cataldo Light in Bari (see below). There have been some alterations in this lighthouse, as older photos show it with a second gallery. Located just off a popular beach at Punta San Cataldo di Lecce, about 12 km (7.5 mi) east of Lecce. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS ITA-142; EF-3612; Admiralty E2192; NGA 10808.

Brindisi Province Lighthouses
* Torre Mattarelle

Date unknown (1940s). Inactive since around 1960 (?). 15 m (49 ft) square stone watchtower. Google has a satellite view. The tower was reported for sale in 2008. Located on a promontory about 8 km (5 mi) southeast of Brindisi. Site status unknown, probably open. ARLHS ITA-175; EF-3632; Admiralty E2196; NGA 10816.

* Le Pedagne (Isolotto Traversa)

Date unknown (station established 1861). Active; focal plane 21 m (69 ft); two red flashes every 6 s. 18.5 m (71 ft) round masonry tower with lantern and gallery, centered on a circular 1-story keeper's house. Lighthouse painted white; lantern dome is gray metallic. Trabas has a photo, Sarah Colter has a 2007 photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a reef in the middle of the entrance to Brindisi harbor. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS ITA-175; EF-3632; Admiralty E2196; NGA 10816.

Brindisi Diga di Costa Morena (South Inner Breakwater)

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); red flash every 3 s. 7 m (23 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted red. Trabas has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the south inner breakwater of Brindisi, directly opposite the Castello a Mare. Site and tower closed. Admiralty E2206; NGA 10828.

* Monumento del Marinaio d'Italia

1984. Apparently inactive since 2004, although the tower still carries a flashing red aviation warning light. 50 m (164 ft) square tapered brick tower. No lantern; the light was displayed from an alcove near the top of the tower that also holds a statue of Virgin Mary. Trabas has a good photo by Klaus Potschien, a closeup and another good photo are available, and Google has a satellite view. The tower is part of the Monument to the Italian Sailor, built in 1933 during the Mussolini era. Located in a park on the north side of the inner harbor of Brindisi. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS ITA-107.

Brindisi Castello a Mare (Castello Aragonese) (2, 3)

2004 (station established 1844). Reactivated (inactive from the 1880s to 1934 and again 1984-2004). Lantern mounted atop the fortress of Castello a Mare. A closeup photo of the lantern is available, and Google has a satellite view. From 1934 to 1984 the light was shown from a 12 m (39 ft) square skeletal tower with enclosed upper portion, lantern and gallery; this tower survives and stands next to the new lantern, as seen in another photo and a view from the sea. New lantern painted white with a metallic gray dome; the skeletal tower is painted black and carries a gray metallic lantern. The light was moved to the Monumento del Marinaio d'Italia in 1984 and returned in 2004. The BrindisiWeb.com site has some information about the fortress. Dating from the late 1400s, it is also called the Castello Alfonsino (after Alfonso, the duke of Calabria who completed the first version of the structure in 1492). The fortress has been under restoration as a tourist attraction. Located on an island, which is now joined to the mainland by a causeway and serves as the anchor of the north breakwater of Brindisi harbor. Site and tower closed, but there are good views from many locations around the harbor. ARLHS ITA-315; Admiralty E2202.

Brindisi Diga di Castello a Mare (North Inner Breakwater) 1911. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); green flash every 3 s. 9 m (30 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted green. Trabas has a photo, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the north inner breakwater of Brindisi, directly below the walls of the Castello a Mare. Site and tower closed. Admiralty E2204; NGA 10824. * Brindisi Diga di Punta Riso (North Breakwater) (1) 1893. Inactive. Approx. 8 m (26 ft) round cylindrical stone tower with gallery, now falling into ruins. The tower was covered with plaster and painted black with a white horizontal band, but the plaster has peeled from much of the tower. Fabio Vitale has a good photo, another photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located near the root of the long breakwater on the north side of Brindisi harbor. Site open, tower closed. Brindisi Diga di Punta Riso (North Breakwater) (2) Date unknown (statione stablished 1893). Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); two green flashes every 10 s. 10 m (33 ft) round tapered concrete tower with gallery, painted green. Trabas has a photo in which this tower appears behind the Le Pedagne lighthouse, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the long breakwater on the north side of Brindisi harbor. Site and tower closed. ARLHS ITA-069; Admiralty E2198; NGA 10822.5. * [Punta Penne (1)] Date unknown (around 1890?) (station established 1861). This was formerly a 34 m (112 ft) round tower attached to a keeper's house; Huelse has a historic postcard view. The light tower is gone, disappeared around the time of World War I, but the keeper's house remains. A view from the sea is available. This station should not be confused with the Punta Penna lighthouse in Abruzzo (see below). * Punta Penne (2) Date unknown (before 1920) (station established 1861). Inactive since around 1960. 13 m (43 ft) square stone watchtower. A photo is available (note the corner of the original keeper's house at the right edge of the photo), there's also a 2009 photo, and Google has a satellite view of the station. We need more information on the history of this station. Located on a promontory about 3 km (2 mi) northwest of the Diga di Punta Riso in Brindisi. Site open, tower closed. * Torre Canne (Punta Torre Canne) 1929. Active; focal plane 35 m (115 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 32 m (105 ft) octagonal white concrete tower with lantern and gallery, rising from the seaward side of a 1-story keeper's house. Francesco Chirico's photo is at right, Trabas has a photo by Klaus Potschien, S. Kaetzje has a 2008 photo, and another photo is available. Located on a point of land in the town of Torre Canne about 40 km (25 mi) northwest of Brindisi. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS ITA-150; EF-3688; Admiralty E2222; NGA 10856.

Faro di Torre Canne, June 2006 Creative Commons photo by Francesco Chirico

Bari Province Lighthouses
* Monopoli (Molo Margherita)

1878. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); red flash every 3 s. 15 m (49 ft) hexagonal masonry tower with lantern and gallery, painted with red and white horizontal bands. Trabas has a good photo by Klaus Potschien, another photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse was built by local port authorities and transferred to the Navy's control in 1911. Located at the end of the Molo Margherita, the traditional breakwater mole of Monopoli, at the south side of the entrance to the harbor. Accessible by walking the mole. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS ITA-232; EF-3692; Admiralty E2224; NGA 10868.

Bari Molo San Antonio Date unknown. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); green flash every 5 s. 14 m (46 ft) round cylindrical masonry tower with lantern and gallery. The lighthouse is unpainted except for a narrow green band near the top of the tower. Trabas has a good photo, a distant view is also available, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the Molo San Antonio, which encloses the old harbor, now the small boat harbor, on the east side of Bari. It is not known if the mole is walkable. Site status unknown. ARLHS ITA-234; EF-3742; Admiralty E2244; NGA 10932. * Bari Vecchio Molo Foraneo 1913. Inactive. Approx. 11 m (36 ft) round masonry tower with lantern and gallery. Formerly painted white, the lighthouse is now unpainted; lantern dome is gray metallic. The active light (focal plane 11 m (36 ft); two continuous red lights, one above the other) is on a 4 m (13 ft) red post beside the lighthouse. Trabas has a good photo, Leo Magarelli has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the old east breakwater mole, which now extends into the center of the modern harbor of Bari. Accessible by walking the mole. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS ITA-313; EF-3724; Admiralty E2238; NGA 10920. Bari Molo San Vito Date unknown. Inactive. Approx. 11 m (36 ft) round masonry tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a 1-story building. Lighthouse painted with black and white horizontal bands; lantern dome is gray metallic. The active light (focal plane 8 m (26 ft); two continuous lights, a red light above a green light) is on a 6 m (20 ft) red and green post. Anna Krákorova has a photo (second photo on the page), and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the mole, which is just west of ferry terminals in Bari. Site status unknown. ARLHS ITA-312; EF-3728; Admiralty E2243; NGA 10924. * Bari (Punta San Cataldo) 1869. Active; focal plane 66 m (217 ft); three white flashes every 20 s. 62 m (203 ft) octagonal stone tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a 2-story masonry keeper's house. The entire lighthouse is white; lantern dome is gray metallic. A photo is at right, Trabas has a fine photo by Klaus Potschien, a good evening photo and a 2008 photo are available, Marinas.com has excellent aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. This tall lighthouse could be confused with the shorter San Cataldo di Lecce Light (see above). It guides ships to the harbor of Bari, the most important port of Puglia and the terminus for trans-Adriatic ferries. Located on Punta San Cataldo, at the base of the Molo San Cataldo, on the west side of the harbor of Bari. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS ITA-141; EF-3706; Admiralty E2232; NGA 10892.

Faro di Punta San Cataldo, Bari, January 2007 anonymous Wikipedia Creative Commons photo

* Molfetta

1853 (relocated here in 1857). Active; focal plane 20 m (66 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 19 m (62 ft) octagonal masonry tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on a circular 1-story masonry base. 3rd order Fresnel lens in use. The lighthouse is white stone; lantern dome is gray metallic. Trabas has a good photo by Klaus Potschien, Manuhar Auroville has a 2008 photo, Anna Krákorova also has a photo (top photo on the page), and Marinas.com has aerial photos. The lighthouse was originally built on the Molo Tramontana east of the harbor. After fishermen following its light wrecked on the shore instead of finding the harbor, it was demolished and rebuilt at its present site. Located at an elbow of the Molo San Michele, which shelters the harbor at Molfetta. Accessible by walking the mole. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS ITA-224; EF-3752; Admiralty E2248; NGA 10952.

* Molfetta Molo Foraneo

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); red flash every 5 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery. Upper 2/3 of the tower painted red, lowest third unpainted; lantern dome is gray metallic. Trabas has a photo by Klaus Potschien, and Anna Krákorova also has a photo (second photo on the page). Located at the end of the breakwater (the Molo San Michele) at Molfetta. Accessible by walking the mole. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS ITA-318; EF-3756; Admiralty E2252; NGA 10956.

Barletta-Andria-Trani Province Lighthouses

* Trani (Molo San Antonio)

1885. Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); white flash every 5 s. 5 m (16 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery. Tower unpainted; lantern is white with a gray metallic dome. Trabas has a closeup, Anna Krákorova has a photo, Dario Gamello has a photo of the lighthouse in action, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the original end of the east breakwater, the Molo San Antonio, at Trani. Accessible by walking the mole. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS ITA-272; EF-3771; Admiralty E2260; NGA 10976.

Trani Molo San Antonio Interno

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); continuous red light. 7 m (23 ft) round concrete tower with gallery and a small lantern on a post. Entire lighthouse painted bright red. Trabas has a photo, Anna Krákorova also has a photo, a 2008 photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the extension of the east breakwater, the Molo San Antonio, at Trani. Site and tower closed. ARLHS ITA-321; EF-3772; Admiralty E2261; NGA 10972.

Trani Braccio di San Nicola

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); green light, 2 s on, 3 s off. 7 m (23 ft) round concrete tower with gallery and a small lantern on a post. Entire lighthouse painted bright green. Trabas has a photo, Anna Krákorova also has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the main (west) breakwater, the Molo Grande di San Nicola, at Trani. Site and tower closed. ARLHS ITA-320; EF-3776; Admiralty E2262; NGA 10980.

* Barletta (Molo di Tramontana) (1) 1807. Inactive since 1959. Approx. 15 m (49 ft) stone tower, lower half square and upper half round, with lantern and gallery, attached to a 2-story keeper's house. The tower is unpainted; lantern dome is gray metallic. A closeup photo is available (although it misidentifies the lighthouse as being in Molfetta). The keeper's house is of 20th century construction; Huelse has a historic postcard view in which the house does not appear. The house remained in use until the newer lighthouse was automated. Located near the base of the Molo di Tramontana, the east breakwater of Barletta. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS ITA-314. * Barletta (Molo di Tramontana) (2) 1959 (station established 1807). Active; focal plane 30 m (98 ft); two long (2 s) flashes every 12 s. 28 m (92 ft) octagonal masonry tower mounted on a square stone base. The tower is unpainted white stone; lantern dome is gray metallic. Trabas has an excellent photo, Enrico Gissi has a fine 2008 photo, Marina.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. Located near the end of the Molo di Tramontana, the east breakwater of Barletta. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS ITA-228; EF-3780; Admiralty E2264; NGA 10984.

1959 Faro di Barletta, August 2005 photo copyright Anna Krákorova; used by permission

Gargano Peninsula (Foggia Province) Lighthouses
Note: the Promentorio Gargano is a mountainous peninsula that projects 40 km (25 mi) eastward into the Adriatic Sea north of Manfredonia.
* Manfredonia Molo di Ponente (Molo di Mezzogiorno)

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); red flash every 3 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. The lighthouse is unpainted white concrete; lantern painted red. Trabas has a good photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the west mole of Manfredonia. Accessible by walking the mole. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty E2278; NGA 11020.

* Manfredonia

1868 (extensively rebuilt in 1947). Active; focal plane 20 m (66 ft); white flash every 5 s. 18 m (60 ft) octagonal cylindrical masonry tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a 2-story masonry keeper's house. Entire lighthouse painted white. Trabas has a good photo, a good 2007 photo and another photo are available, and Google has a satellite view. The lighthouse was heavily damaged in 1943, during World War II, and was rebuilt after the war. Located near the base of the east mole of Manfredonia, a wide mole that includes a street and has a public beach on the east side. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS ITA-099; EF-3796; Admiralty E2276; NGA 11012.

* Manfredonia Molo di Levante

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); green flash every 3 s. 12.5 m (41 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. The lighthouse is unpainted white concrete; lantern painted green. Trabas has a good photo, Salvatore Triventi has a photo, a view from the sea is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the east mole of Manfredonia. Accessible by walking the mole. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty E2277; NGA 11016.

Torre Preposti (2) 1946 (station established 1937). Active; focal plane 62 m (203 ft); white flash every 5 s. 22 m (72 ft) square cylindrical tower with lantern, rising from one corner of a 1-story keeper's house, all mounted on a massive square stone foundation. Lighthouse painted white; lantern dome is gray metallic. Trabas has a good photo. The lighthouse is built atop an Aragonese watchtower dating from around 1500. Located on a steep slope at Testa del Gargano, the easternmost point of the peninsula. The lighthouse would be difficult to reach, but it can be seen from above on twisting mountain roads. Site status unknown. ARLHS ITA-169; EF-3812; Admiralty E2286; NGA 11036. Vieste 1867 (Francesco Saverio Gatta). Active; focal plane 40 m (131 ft); three white flashes every 15 s. 27 m (90 ft) octagonal cylindrical masonry tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a 2-story masonry keeper's house. The original 1st order Fresnel lens remains in use. The lighthouse is unpainted white stone; watch room painted white; lantern dome is gray metallic. Roberto Ferrari's photo is at right, Trabas has a good photo, another good photo is available, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. This is one of the most important lighthouses of the Adriatic, warning ships away from the Gargano Peninsula. Located on a small island, the Isola Sant'Eufemia, just off the waterfront of Vieste, at the northeastern tip of the peninsula. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed, but there are excellent views from shore. ARLHS ITA-090; EF-3816; Admiralty E2288; NGA 11040.

Faro di Vieste, June 2005 Creative Commons photo by Roberto Ferrari

Tremiti Islands (Foggia Province) Lighthouses
Note: Between the Gargano Peninsula and the Croatian coast, the Adriatic Sea is relatively shallow and a number of small islands pose serious hazards to navigation. The islands on the Italian side are called the Isole Tremiti--Trembling Islands--because of the frequency of minor earthquakes. There are five islands, all included in the Gargano National Park. The two inhabited islands, San Domino and San Nicola, are tourist destinations accessible by ferry from Tremoli.

Isola di Pianosa 1948. Active; focal plane 25 m (82 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 17 m (56 ft) round masonry tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story keeper's house. Lighthouse painted white. A small photo is available (first photo in third row). The most remote of the islands, Pianosa is especially dangerous because its low elevation makes it difficult to see at a distance. In 1953, a building was built to serve as a shelter for fishermen who might be stranded on the island. This building and the keeper's house have been damaged by storms that sometimes sweep over the island. Note: there is another, better known Isola Pianosa in the Tuscan Islands off the west coast of Italy. Located about 22 km (14 mi) east northeast of the other islands of the group. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS ITA-212; EF-3836; Admiralty E2300; NGA 11060. Isola di Capraia (Caprara) (1) 1868. Inactive since 1980. Approx. 15 m (49 ft) octagonal cylindrical masonry tower, attached to a 2-story masonry keeper's house. Lantern removed. The lighthouse was probably painted white, but it appears unpainted today. The active light (focal plane 23 m (75 ft); white flash every 5 s) is on a 10 m (33 ft) square skeletal tower. Rev. Santino di Renzo's photo is at right, another good photo is available, and the Isole Tremiti tourism site has two photos (second and fourth rows). The abandoned lighthouse is clearly endangered. The uninhabited island of Capraia is north of San Nicola, separated by a channel about 800 m (1/2 mi) wide. Note: there is another Isola Capraia in the Tuscan Archipelago off Tuscany. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS ITA-207; EF-3838; Admiralty E2296; NGA 11064.

Faro di Capraia, June 2006 Creative Commons photo by Rev. Santino di Renzo

Isola di San Domino (Punta del Diavolo) (1)

1905. Inactive since 1987. Approx. 9 m (30 ft) octagonal cylindrical masonry tower, centered on the roof of a 1-story masonry keeper's house. The lighthouse was probably painted white, but it appears unpainted today. The active light (focal plane 48 m (157 ft); three white flashes every 10 s) is on a 4 m (13 ft) round post next to the lighthouse. A good photo and a 2008 photo are available. The lighthouse was heavily damaged by an explosion in 1987 and remains in a very dilapidated condition. The property was for sale in 2005. Located at the southwestern point of the island, marking the safe passage south of the island group. Site status unknown. ARLHS ITA-245; EF-3846; Admiralty E2294; NGA 11076.

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

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Posted August 10, 2006. Checked and revised September 13, 2009. Lighthouses: 50. Site copyright 2009 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.