A breathtaking view of the Strait of Messina, where the Tyrrhenian and Ionian Seas meet, frames one of Sicily's most iconic symbols: the Lighthouse of Capo Peloro. Situated at 37 meters high, this lighthouse is not just a visual reference point for sailors but also a historical treasure that preserves years of maritime tradition. During the FAI Autumn Days, the lighthouse was opened to the public, offering visitors a unique opportunity to discover its secrets, guided by Jonny Pizzimento, commander of the Sicily lighthouse zone, and Nico Pandolfino, head of FAI Messina.
A Strategically Important Lighthouse
In an interview, Jonny Pizzimento emphasized the crucial importance of the Capo Peloro Lighthouse in ensuring safe navigation in the Strait of Messina, one of the most complex areas for navigation due to treacherous currents and depths. The lighthouse, characterized by two green flashes every 10 seconds – an unusual signal compared to the traditionally white lighthouses – serves as a guide for the northern entrance to the Strait. "We have green on the Sicilian side and red in Calabria," explains Pizzimento, highlighting its strategic role.
Despite modern satellite navigation systems, lighthouses, along with beacons and buoys, remain essential in 2024. In emergency situations or poor visibility, visual references are indispensable for precision navigation, and the Capo Peloro Lighthouse remains a vital point of reference.
The Lighthouse Today and Its History
The Capo Peloro Lighthouse is manned 24 hours a day and is part of a network of 136 maritime signals under the responsibility of the Sicily lighthouse zone command, including 36 lighthouses. This system is organized into local "regencies," which manage the lighthouses in their territories. The Capo Peloro regency consists of three lighthouse keepers, who are responsible for monitoring and maintaining the proper functioning of maritime signals from Termini Imerese to Capomulini.
Inside the lighthouse, visitors were able to explore an exhibition of historical equipment used before the lighthouse was electrified in 1936. "In the past, the on-duty lighthouse keeper would manually load the rotation system and ensure there was enough fuel for the entire night", Pizzimento explains. Today, everything is automated, and the lighthouse is electrically powered, marking an important technological advancement.
FAI's Goal: Unveiling Hidden Treasures
Thanks to the FAI Autumn Days, many people had the chance to discover the Capo Peloro Lighthouse for the first time, a place often inaccessible but of unparalleled beauty. "FAI's mission is exactly this: to bring attention to hidden and hard-to-reach places that hold great cultural and landscape value," says Nico Pandolfino, head of FAI Messina.
Visitors climbed the 170 steps leading to the top of the lighthouse, a physical challenge well rewarded by the spectacular view of the Strait of Messina. "This is one of the most beautiful tourist spots in Messina, and we want to make it known not only to the people of Messina but to all of Italy," concludes Pandolfino.
A Heritage to Preserve
The Capo Peloro Lighthouse is not only a place of historical interest but also a symbol of the importance of preserving Sicily's maritime and cultural heritage. Events like the FAI Autumn Days are an opportunity to showcase these wonders and raise public awareness of the need to protect places of such great value.
With the support of institutions and the involvement of the community, the Capo Peloro Lighthouse continues to light the way not only for sailors but also for all those who wish to discover the beauty and secrets of Sicily.
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