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Capo Zafferano Lighthouse

Fl (3) White/Red 10s🇮🇹Santa Flavia, ITOperational

Location & Light Range

About Capo Zafferano Lighthouse

Built of stone in 1884, the Capo Zafferano Lighthouse stands on the eastern edge of the Golfo di Palermo. The structure consists of an octagonal masonry tower, 11 meters tall, topped with a lantern and gallery, and is attached to a single-story keeper's house. Its light, positioned 34 meters above sea level, has a geographic range of 16 nautical miles. The lighthouse emits three white or red flashes every 10 seconds. This active aid to navigation is situated on the point of the cape, about 3 km north of Santa Flavia and 15 km east of Palermo.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is indispensable for maritime safety, guiding vessels entering and exiting the Golfo di Palermo. Its light precisely delineates safe channels around the Capo Zafferano headland.

Background
Capo Zafferano Lighthouse is an active lighthouse located at the extreme tip of the homonymy promontory, under a steep ridge, that marks the eastern entrance to the port of Palermo. The lighthouse is in the municipality of Santa Flavia on the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (3) White/Red 10s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White/Red
Flash Count
3 flashes
Interval
10s
Raw Code
Fl(3) WR 10s
Focal Height
34m
Light Range
16NM (29.6 km)
Geographic Range
16NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1884

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Palermo(7.2 km)
Admiralty No.
E2023
NGA No.
9900
ARLHS No.
ITA-048
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q28376176 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
11m
Tower Shape
octagonal
Tower Color
white
Material
stone

Structure: octagonal masonry tower with lantern and gallery, adjoining or attached to a 1-story masonry keeper's house

Location

City
Santa Flavia
Country
🇮🇹Italy
Region
Sicily
Sea Region
Capo Zafferano marks the eastern end of the Golfo di Palermo. Located on the point of the cape, about 3 km north of Santa Flavia and 15 km east of Palermo.
Latitude
38.1120°
Longitude
13.5375°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How far offshore can Capo Zafferano Lighthouse be seen?+
With a focal height of 34 meters and a nominal range of 16 nautical miles (approximately 29.6 km), Capo Zafferano is visible from well offshore under standard atmospheric conditions. Actual visibility depends on observer height, weather, and sea state. Lights of this range are typically used as landfall lights by vessels approaching from the open sea.
How do mariners identify Capo Zafferano Lighthouse at night?+
Capo Zafferano displays the characteristic Fl (3) White/Red 10s — 3 white/red flashes every 10 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/red color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Capo Zafferano Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Capo Zafferano Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Porticello at 1.7 NM to the S. Other ports served include PORTICCIOLO DI S. ER (5.8 NM W), Palermo (7.8 NM W), Termini Imerese (11.4 NM SE), Mondello, Palermo (11.4 NM WNW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Capo Zafferano Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Capo Zafferano 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 Zafferano Lighthouse?+
Capo Zafferano 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 Zafferano Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Capo Zafferano 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.