History and guide
ORIGIN
The erection of the monument began shortly after the First World War. It was built thanks to the strong will of the architect Arduino Berlam.
The old Lantern was no longer adequate for the needs of the port, and the new building was conceived to celebrate the city of Trieste’s passage to the Kingdom of Italy, and to commemorate those who had died at sea during the First World War, as well as to guide night navigation in the Gulf of Trieste.
Photo: Ministry of culture and tourism
BUILDING WORK
The works lasted four years, from 1923 to 1927. The inauguration was also attended by King Victor Emanuel III.
The Lighthouse is located on the foundation of the Austrian Fort Kressich, one of the most important positions of the Empire, and each part of it has a strong symbolic meaning.
Photo: Ministry of culture and tourism
THE STATUE OF WINGED VICTORY
The statue of the Winged Victory raises a torch with her left hand while her right holds a laurel branch.
A steel tube inserted in the tower supports the work by sculptor Giovanni Mayer, made in embossed copper.
It is resistant to the weather, and in particular, to the strong north-eastern wind called Bora, with some openings in the wings to minimize wind resistance. The crown on the top conceals the lightening rod.
THE STATUE OF THE UNKNOWN SEAMAN
Giovanni Meyer also designed the imposing sculpture of the unknown Seaman, located at the base of the column, helped by the stonemason master Regolo Salandini.
The 8,60 meter high statue represents the image of a fierce sailor, wearing a typical Royal Navy rain hat known as the Sud-Est (Southeast) and knee-high work boots.
THE ANCHOR
At the base of the statue is the anchor of the destroyer Audace, accompanied by the plate bearing the inscription Fatta prima d’ogni altra sacra dalle acque della gemma redenta, il 3 novembre 1918 (Hallowed before any other by the waters of the redeemed gem, on November 3, 1918).
It commemorates the historic entry of the first Italian ship in Trieste: the Audace.
THE INSCRIPTION AND CHAIN
The inscription MCMXXVII Splendi e ricorda i Caduti sul mare MCMXV – MCMXVIII (1927 Shine and recall the Fallen at sea 1915-1918) remembers once again that the light of the tower is not only to drive sailors, but also to celebrate the fallen at sea.
At the sides of the entrance to the tower and around the flowerbed, we find two ammunitions and the chain of the Austro-Hungarian battleship Viribus Unitis, sunk in 1918 by raiders of the Italian Royal Navy.
Some technical data
Total weight of the structure: 8,000 tons.
Total height: 67.85 mt.
Height of the lighthouse on the sea level: 128.85 mt.
Focal height: 116 mt.
Brightness: 1.250.000 candles.
Average range rate: 35 miles.
Height of the Winged Victory: 7.20 mt.
Height of the Unknown Seaman statue: 8.60 mt.
The Faro is nowadays a major national monument and provides a panoramic view of the city.
The Lighthouse belongs to the Italian Navy and is open to the public thanks to a special agreement signed with the Region Friuli Venezia Giulia through ERPAC – Ente regionale per il patrimonio culturale (Regional Authority for Cultural Heritage).