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Messina Cable Tower Lighthouse

Fl Green 5s🇮🇹Messina, ITOperational

Location & Light Range

About Messina Cable Tower Lighthouse

Built in 1957, the Messina Cable Tower is a square skeletal steel structure standing 200 meters tall. Painted with red and white horizontal bands, its focal height reaches 233 meters. Originally erected to carry 220 kilovolt power lines across the Strait of Messina, these lines were replaced by an undersea cable in 1993. The tower emits a green light, flashing once every 5 seconds, visible for 36 nautical miles. Located on the beach near Capo Peloro Lighthouse, the site is open to the public, although the tower itself is closed.

Why it matters: Recognized as a historic monument, this tower represents an extraordinary engineering feat for its time, enabling the suspension of power lines across the Strait of Messina.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl Green 5s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
Green
Interval
5s
Raw Code
Fl G 5s
Focal Height
233m
Geographic Range
36NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1957
Heritage Status
historic monument

Significant events: built to carry overhead 220 kilovolt power lines across the strait, lines replaced by an undersea cable in 1993

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
200m
Tower Shape
square
Tower Color
with red and white horizontal bands
Material
steel

Structure: square skeletal tower, painted with red and white horizontal bands

Location

City
Messina
Country
🇮🇹Italy
Region
Sicily
Sea Region
Strait of Messina, on the beach about 250 m south of the Capo Peloro Lighthouse
Latitude
38.2658°
Longitude
15.6509°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Villa San Giovanni(2.6 km)
Admiralty No.
E1809
NGA No.
9788
ARLHS No.
ITA-278
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Messina Cable Tower Lighthouse at night?+
Messina Cable Tower displays the characteristic Fl Green 5s. 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 green color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Messina Cable Tower Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Messina Cable Tower Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Torre Faro at 0.4 NM to the WSW. Other ports served include Villa San Giovanni, Calabria (2.8 NM SSW), Scilla (3.1 NM E), Messina (5.7 NM SW), Bagnara Calabra (7.9 NM ENE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Messina Cable Tower Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Messina Cable Tower 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 Messina Cable Tower Lighthouse?+
Messina Cable Tower 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 Messina Cable Tower Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Messina Cable Tower 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.