Meloria, Marine protected area in Tuscan Archipelago, Italy
Meloria is a low-lying rocky shoal and marine protected area located about 7 miles (12 km) off the coast of Livorno, in Tuscany. The shoal barely rises above the waterline and is surrounded by shallow banks covered in seagrass and scattered rocky formations.
In 1284, a naval battle near Meloria ended with Genoa defeating Pisa's fleet, an event that changed the balance of power in the western Mediterranean. After this defeat, Pisa gradually lost its role as a leading seafaring city.
The waters around Meloria draw divers who come to explore the wrecks resting on the seabed, many of which date back to ancient trade routes across the Mediterranean. The site is also popular among fishermen from nearby Livorno, who have long regarded these shallows as some of the most productive in the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Meloria can only be reached by boat, and most activities on or around the shoal require a permit obtained in advance. Sea conditions can change quickly, so it is worth checking the weather before heading out from Livorno.
The southern lighthouse on the shoal, built in 1867, is decorated with Gothic arches and four rectangular pillars, a style rarely seen on a structure built for navigational purposes. It stands as one of the few examples of this kind of architectural design on a lighthouse in the Mediterranean.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
