Capo Mele Lighthouse (Italian: Faro di Capo Mele) is an active lighthouse in northwestern Italy. It is located on Capo Mele, on the border of the comunes of Andora (to the west) and Laigueglia (to the northeast) in the Province of Savona in Liguria.

Capo Mele
The lighthouse seen from the former national road Via Aurelia
Map
LocationMarina di Andora
Liguria
Italy
Coordinates43°57′19″N 8°10′20″E / 43.955324°N 8.172273°E / 43.955324; 8.172273
Tower
Constructed1856
Constructionmasonry tower
Height25 metres (82 ft)
Shapeoctagonal tower with balcony and lantern on a red brick building
Markingswhite tower and lantern, grey metallic dome
Power sourcemains electricity Edit this on Wikidata
OperatorMarina Militare
Light
First lit1959 Edit this on Wikidata
Focal height94 metres (308 ft)[1]
LensType OR T3
Intensitymain: AL 1000 W
reserve: LABI 100 W
Rangemain: 24 nautical miles (44 km; 28 mi)
reserve: 18 nautical miles (33 km; 21 mi)
CharacteristicFl (3) W 15s.
Italy no.1506 E.F.[1][2]

History

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The lighthouse was constructed by the Civil Engineers and completed in 1856. Its architecture was not changed from the original for almost half a century, and was repainted from yellow to red. A petroleum lamp was installed in 1909, later with acetylene until 1936. Like many other lighthouses in Italy, this lighthouse was severely damaged during World War II, and the extensive damage was repaired between 1947 and 1948. In 1949 it was electrified.

Description

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The lighthouse is a circular 25 metres high masonry tower and the diameter of the lantern is 3.82 metres. It is reached by a staircase of 74 steps. Adjacent to the tower is a three-story brick building.

The lighthouse is still staffed[3] and is managed by the Command Area Lighthouses Navy based in La Spezia (which incidentally takes care of all the lighthouses in the Tyrrhenian). The Marina Militare is responsible for managing all the lights on an approximate 8000 kilometers of Italian coastline since 1910, using both military and civilian technicians.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Italy: Liguria". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  2. ^ "Capo Mele". Marina Militare. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
  3. ^ "F.A.Q. (Domande frequenti)". Marina Militare.
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