The Lanterna Lighthouse is a true symbol of the Italian port city of Genoa, reminiscent of the long maritime traditions of this region. It is considered one of the oldest in the world and ranks second in height among similar structures built of brick.
It is not known for certain when this Italian lighthouse was erected, the name of which is translated very simply - “Lantern”. Ancient legends say that he appeared on the hill of San Benino in the neighborhood of the monastery of the same name by the will of the angels of heaven and is under their auspices. Legends are legends, but the spark of truth is that for 9 centuries Lantern has been regularly serving its service, being a constant symbol of Genoa. Over the years of its existence, this lighthouse repeatedly collapsed, but, like the legendary Phoenix, every time it rose from the ashes.
Initially, Lantern’s lighthouse served a dual function, serving as a guiding star for mariners and a reliable outpost on its way to the city. The first official references to it are found in historical sources dating from 1128. In those days, the Lanterna lighthouse was a 3 jagged towers located far beyond the city limits. Now there is practically nothing left from the former hill, and the city has long surrounded this ancient lighthouse with modern buildings, which continues to serve regularly for night navigation.
For a long time, dried heather and juniper were used to light the lights on the Lantern lighthouse. Only in the XIV century, the first lanterns appeared here using olive oil. In addition, the lighthouse painted the emblem of the city, and it became a distinctive sign not only for seafarers, but also for all traveling around Genoa itself. In the middle of the 19th century, a new optical system was installed according to the Fresnel principle, and a century later, in 1936, the transition to electricity was made.
Curiously, the means to maintain the proper functioning of the Lantern lighthouse were allocated from taxes that were received by the city authorities of Genoa from each ship entering the port. For some time, the prison itself was located in the building itself, in which it was possible to be imprisoned by royals — the King of Cyprus and his spouse. Famous Lantern Lighthouse is also one of its rangers. In the XV century it was the uncle of the famous Columbus. All this can not but interest yachtsmen who have visited the port of Genoa to visit Lantern Lighthouse.
This landmark of the city has lost its original appearance and now represents a quadrangular tower with a terrace at the top, but still allows ships to find the way to the harbor. In 2006, inside the lighthouse of Lantern, there was a small museum where you can learn about the history of the maritime traditions of Genoa and admire exclusive historical documents and old navigation instruments. In addition, one of the departments is completely devoted to the history of the lighthouse. Anyone can visit the museum and climb to the top of Lantern, from where a picturesque view of the Genoese harbor opens. That's just to see all the beauty of the city from the height of the flight of birds, will have to overcome 375 steps.
Being inside one of the oldest lighthouses in the world with the opportunity to get in touch with a piece of navigation and admire the picturesque panorama of Genoa from a height - all this makes Lanterna one of the most popular attractions of this Italian port, which is often called “located in the shadow of the Lantern”.
