Capo Vaticano, Coastal promontory in Ricadi, Italy.
Capo Vaticano is a granite promontory that juts into the Tyrrhenian Sea, creating a rugged coastline dotted with coves and beaches. The headland rises steeply from the water and offers views of two main beaches with different characteristics.
A lighthouse was built on the headland in 1885 to guide ships traveling along the coast. This structure has stood the test of time and continues to define the landscape today.
The name comes from ancient Rome, when priests would watch bird flights from this high coastal point to predict the future. Visitors today still find themselves naturally gazing skyward while standing on these cliffs.
The site is accessible year-round, but summer brings warm water and crowded conditions at popular beaches. Spring and fall offer milder conditions with fewer visitors.
The white-grey granite formation displays geological features that researchers from around the world come to study and examine. This scientific focus makes the headland an overlooked center for earth science research.
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