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Capo Santa Maria di Leuca Lighthouse

Fl (3) White 15s🇮🇹Castrignano del Capo, ITOperational

Location & Light Range

About Capo Santa Maria di Leuca Lighthouse

The Capo Santa Maria di Leuca Lighthouse, an octagonal brick tower with a lantern and gallery, stands 48 meters tall and rises from a two-story keeper's house. Built in 1866, its plaster exterior is white. The light emits a single white flash every 15 seconds from a focal height of 102 meters, visible for 25.1 nautical miles. The original first-order lantern was replaced in 1954. The site is open to visitors, though the tower is closed to the public. It is located at the end of Via Francesco Pireca in Leuca, 0.5 kilometers from the nearest port.

Why it matters: This lighthouse marks the western entrance to the Strait of Otranto and the Adriatic Sea, guiding vessels through a historically significant shipping lane. Its location at the tip of the Salento peninsula also signifies the meeting point of the Ionian and Adriatic Seas.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (3) White 15s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
3 flashes
Interval
15s
Raw Code
Fl W 15s
Focal Height
102m
Geographic Range
25.1NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1866

Significant events: original first order lantern was replaced in 1954

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
48m
Tower Shape
octagonal
Tower Color
white plaster
Material
brick

Structure: octagonal brick tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a 2-story keeper's house

Location

City
Castrignano del Capo
Country
🇮🇹Italy
Region
Apulia
Sea Region
Capo Santa Maria di Leuca is the tip of the Salento peninsula, marking the western entrance to the Strait of Otranto and the Adriatic Sea. It is located at the tip of the cape, at the end of the Via Francesco Pireca in Leuca.
Latitude
39.7960°
Longitude
18.3684°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Leuca(0.5 km)
ARLHS No.
ITA-039
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Capo Santa Maria di Leuca Lighthouse at night?+
Capo Santa Maria di Leuca displays the characteristic Fl (3) White 15s — 3 white flashes every 15 seconds. Each lighthouse has a unique flash pattern published in the List of Lights, allowing mariners to positively identify it and distinguish it from other navigation aids in the area. The white color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Capo Santa Maria di Leuca Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Capo Santa Maria di Leuca Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Leuca at 0.3 NM to the W. Other ports served include Castro Marina (12.6 NM NNE), Torre San Giovanni d'Ugento (12.8 NM WNW), Torre Cesarea (14.7 NM NNE), Otranto (21.9 NM NNE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Capo Santa Maria di Leuca Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Capo Santa Maria di Leuca Lighthouse is currently operational. It is actively maintained and continues to emit its characteristic light signal for marine navigation. Most modern lighthouses are automated and monitored remotely by the national maritime authority.
What shipping routes pass near Capo Santa Maria di Leuca Lighthouse?+
Capo Santa Maria di Leuca Lighthouse is located within the Mediterranean East-West corridor — a major trade route spanning the Mediterranean from Gibraltar to the Suez Canal. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near Capo Santa Maria di Leuca Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Capo Santa Maria di Leuca Lighthouse in real time using MarineRadar. The platform shows live AIS positions of ships in the area, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page to open the live map centered on this lighthouse.