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Piombino Lighthouse

Fl (3) White 15s🇮🇹Piombino, ITOperational

Location & Light Range

About Piombino Lighthouse

Also known as: Piombino (La Rocchetta)

This square stone tower, standing 5 meters tall, features a gallery and a small red post light at its summit. Its gray stone construction rises 18 meters above sea level, casting a white light with three flashes every 15 seconds. The lighthouse is situated at the tip of a peninsula, on what was formerly a small islet now connected to the mainland. It marks the ferry port for Elba, guiding vessels through the Piombino Channel. The site is open to visitors, but the tower itself remains closed.

Why it matters: The lighthouse is indispensable for ferry operations connecting Piombino to Elba and aids mariners navigating the approach to the busy port.

Background
La Rocchetta Lighthouse is an active lighthouse located on the southern part of the promontory of Piombino overlooking the Piombino Channel which separates the Elba from the mainland.

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
18m
Light Range
11NM (20.4 km)
Geographic Range
12.7NM

Location

City
Piombino
Country
🇮🇹Italy
Region
Tuscany
Sea Region
Piombino, located at the end of a blunt peninsula jutting out of the Tuscan coast, is the ferry port for Elba. It sits atop a small islet, now joined to the mainland, at the tip of the peninsula.
Latitude
42.9199°
Longitude
10.5254°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Piombino(1.9 km)
Admiralty No.
E1455
NGA No.
8996
ARLHS No.
ITA-288
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q16555278 →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
5m
Tower Shape
square
Tower Color
gray stone
Material
stone

Structure: square castellated stone tower with gallery and a small red post light at the top

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How far offshore can Piombino Lighthouse be seen?+
With a focal height of 18 meters and a nominal range of 11 nautical miles (approximately 20.4 km), Piombino is visible from well offshore under standard atmospheric conditions. Actual visibility depends on observer height, weather, and sea state. This range makes it a significant coastal navigation aid for vessels transiting the area.
How do mariners identify Piombino Lighthouse at night?+
Piombino 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 Piombino Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Piombino Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Piombino at 1.3 NM to the NE. Other ports served include Cavo (5.7 NM SW), Rio Marina (7.5 NM SW), Portoferraio (10.9 NM SW), MARINA DI SAN VINCEN (10.9 NM N). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Piombino Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Piombino 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 Piombino Lighthouse?+
Piombino 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 Piombino Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Piombino 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.