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Punta Penna Lighthouse

Fl White 5s🇮🇹Vasto, ITOperational

Location & Light Range

About Punta Penna Lighthouse

The Punta Penna lighthouse features an octagonal concrete tower, 70 meters in height, constructed and first illuminated in 1948. Located at Porto di Vasto, the white tower is capped by a gray metallic lantern dome and extends from the middle of a two-story stone keeper's residence. The preceding lighthouse was demolished by retreating German forces in 1944, with its remnants cleared in 1946. This current light displays a single white flash every five seconds, visible for 23.1 nautical miles. Public access is permitted to the site, but not the tower.

Why it matters: Standing as the second tallest lighthouse in Italy, Punta Penna serves as a navigation aid for ships entering Porto di Vasto and sailing the nearby Adriatic coast. It also represents a mark of the area's wartime history.

Background
Punta Penna Lighthouse is an active lighthouse in Vasto, Italy. At a height of 70 metres (230 ft) it is the eighth tallest traditional lighthouse in the world, and the second tallest lighthouse in Italy after the Lantern of Genoa. It is located at a strategically important spot in Via Madonna della Penna at the port of Vasto.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 5s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
5s
Raw Code
Fl W 5s
Focal Height
84m
Light Range
25NM (46.3 km)
Geographic Range
23.1NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1948

Significant events: Original lighthouse destroyed by retreating German troops in 1944, ruins demolished in 1946

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
70m
Tower Shape
octagonal
Tower Color
white with a gray metallic lantern dome
Material
concrete

Structure: octagonal concrete tower with lantern and gallery, rising from the center of a 2-story masonry keeper's house

Location

City
Vasto
Country
🇮🇹Italy
Region
Abruzzo
Sea Region
A prominent cape in Porto di Vasto, about 7 km north of Vasto, Italy
Latitude
42.1706°
Longitude
14.7146°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Vasto(0.5 km)
Admiralty No.
E2306
NGA No.
113-11100
ARLHS No.
ITA-138
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q973243 →
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Frequently Asked Questions

How far offshore can Punta Penna Lighthouse be seen?+
With a focal height of 84 meters and a nominal range of 25 nautical miles (approximately 46.3 km), Punta Penna 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 Punta Penna Lighthouse at night?+
Punta Penna displays the characteristic Fl White 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 white color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Punta Penna Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Punta Penna Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Vasto at 0.4 NM to the NNW. Other ports served include FOSSACESIA (10.3 NM WNW), Termoli (16.3 NM SE), Ortona (17.3 NM NW), Francavilla al Mare (24.2 NM NW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Punta Penna Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Punta Penna 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 Punta Penna Lighthouse?+
Punta Penna 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 Punta Penna Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Punta Penna 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.