Punta Palascia Lighthouse, Maritime lighthouse in Capo d'Otranto, Italy.
Punta Palascia Lighthouse is a white cylindrical stone tower standing at the easternmost point of Italy near Otranto. Rising about 32 meters tall, it sits atop a two-story keeper's residence and features a lantern with a balcony at the top.
Designed by engineer Achille Rossi in 1867, it replaced an older watchtower to improve maritime safety along the Adriatic coast. This construction reflected the growing importance of shipping through the strait connecting the Mediterranean and Adriatic seas.
The structure now contains the Centre on Environment and Health of Mediterranean Ecosystems and a Multimedia Museum of the Sea, welcoming visitors since 2008. These spaces reflect how the lighthouse has shifted from purely functional use to become a place for learning about the region's ecological importance.
The automated lighthouse is accessible from the landside and offers visitors views from the lantern balcony and access to interior exhibitions. Plan enough time to explore both the structure and the surrounding cape area properly.
The lantern optics were manufactured in Paris by Augustine-Henry Lepaute in 1884 and sit about 60 meters above sea level. This historic equipment makes it one of the few protected Mediterranean lighthouses still retaining its original technology.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
