The lighthouse of the island of Razzoli boasts two unique qualities: it is the oldest of Sardinia and also the most northern one. Facing Bonifacio across the water, it domineers the perilous thoroughfare between Sardinia and Corsica.
On the other side, at the southern-most extremity of the island, stands the lighthouse of Capo Spartivento, at a mere 180 kilometers from Africa.
It has been a witness to countless historical events, from the travels of the Phoenicians until German occupation during the last World War, and it is still unmistakable, thanks to its vibrant red color. It has been recently restored and transformed into a luxury hotel, a destiny which lies in waiting for the lighthouses of Capo Bellavista in Arbatax and Capo San Marco (Oristano) as well.
At the entrance to the port of Cagliari, the lighthouse of Capo Sant’Elia is one of the symbols of the city. It is located in one of the urban areas which is most abundant in bio-diversity, between the two lagoons of Molentargius and Santa Gilla. People joke that the lighthouse foremost serves the flocks of pink flamingos which divide their time between the two water basins.
Another record holder is the lighthouse of Capo Caccia in Alghero: placed on top of a cliff which marks the opening of the gulf of Porto Conte, it is the highest of Italy and the second-highest of the entire Mediterranean area. It was built in the second half of the 19th century and its beams carry over a distance of 24 miles.
The lighthouse of Capo Testa, to the North of Santa Teresa, is also important for navigation in the waters of Bonifacio. It stood over one of the major naval tragedies of the nineteenth century, the shipwreck of the French vessel Sémillante, which crashed into the island of Lavezzi, causing the death of 750 sailors.
From the lighthouse of Capo Figari, on the promontory separating Golfo Aranci from the fjord of Olbia, Nobel prize-winner Guglielmo Marconi carried out his first experiment with radio transmission in 1932.
