San Venerio Lighthouse

San Venerio Lighthouse is a facility on Tino island near Porto Venere with a white masonry tower and grey lantern dome rising 24 meters. It operates automatically today to guide ships through the waters off this rocky Ligurian coast.

Construction began in 1839 and finished in 1840 to make passages safer in this treacherous coastal area. Over the decades, the lighting technology shifted from vegetable oil to coal and finally to electrical power.

The name comes from Saint Venerius, a hermit from Palmaria island who is now the patron of lighthouse keepers. Local communities connect this place to maritime religious traditions and gather here during seasonal celebrations tied to seafaring life.

Visitors reach Tino island mainly by boat from Porto Venere, as the island has no vehicle access. It is wise to plan the boat trip in advance and check weather conditions, since the sea here can get rough quickly.

Each September 13, a statue of Saint Venerius is brought by boat from La Spezia to Tino island for a blessing ceremony for fishing vessels. This procession blends religious devotion with seafaring customs and draws local fishermen and maritime workers to the site.

Location: Porto Venere

Inception: 1840

Height: 24 m

GPS coordinates: 44.02647,9.84937

Latest update: December 14, 2025 09:47