Capo Spartivento Calabro Lighthouse, Maritime navigation tower in Palizzi, Italy.
The Capo Spartivento Calabro Lighthouse is a 15-meter-tall structure with a square masonry tower featuring a balcony and lantern positioned beside a white keeper's house. The facility operates automatically and transmits light signals from its location 63 meters above sea level.
The structure was built in 1867 and has guided ships through the Ionian Sea waters ever since. Its construction dates to an era when maritime trade in this region was thriving and such navigation aids were essential for safe passage.
The lighthouse serves as a vital navigation marker for vessels passing through the strait between Calabria and Sicily. Visitors can grasp the strategic importance of this structure from its position at Italy's southeastern tip and understand its role in maritime safety for the region.
The lighthouse is easily accessible from outside and offers visitors a clear view of Italy's southernmost tip and the strait beyond. The best time to visit is during good weather, when visibility is optimal and the area can be safely explored.
The structure sits at Italy's geographically southeastern corner, a location often overlooked despite its remarkable position. Many visitors do not realize this beacon operates using the same principles from the 19th century, making it one of the few remaining examples of continuous maritime heritage in operation.
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