Info about Lighthouse of Portopalo

Thank you for purchasing the souvenir of the Portopalo di Capo Passero Lighthouse, created by Andrea Gozzo in 2024.

The "Cozzo Spadaro" lighthouse stands 36 meters high in Portopalo di Capo Passero and has served as an air-sea signal since 1864.

The lighthouse, with rotating optics, has a light signaling range of 82 meters above sea level. It emits 3 beams of light every 15 seconds, with the aim of indicating to sailors the presence of dry land.

The light signal reaches 36 nautical miles, which corresponds to approximately 70 kilometers. Owned by the Ministry of Defence, the lighthouse is managed by the Navy and for decades it was looked after by the last keeper, Giovanni Lupo, now retired.

The Portopalo di Capo Passero lighthouse also indicates the route towards the mainland for thousands of migrant boats that still sail the Mediterranean today.

Braving the dangers of the sea, fleets of migrants set sail from North Africa and venture out in search of fortune, often landing in Portopalo di Capo Passero guided by the guiding light of the Cozzo Spadaro lighthouse.

The 160-year history of a lighthouse, destined today for the most modern automatic systems, but which always preserves the memory of those who were guided by its light.

Click here to read history and watch the video in Italian.