Vittoria Light
Encyclopedia
Vittoria Light also known as the Victory Lighthouse, is an active lighthouse
in Trieste
, Italy
, serving the Gulf of Trieste
. It is located on the hill of Gretta (Poggio di Gretta), off the Strada del Friuli. At a height of 223 feet (68 m) it is one of the tallest lighthouses in the world.
, following capture of Kobarid
in the Battles of the Isonzo
and following the Battle of the Piave River
. Originally the lighthouse was to rise on the coast of Istria
, near Pula
. However, the location eventually chosen was the hill of Gretta, due to ideal height (60m above sea-level) and the solid foundations of the former Austria
n fort Kressich, built between 1854 and 1857. The lighthouse plans took shape following the end of the war, in December 1918. It was designed by triestine architect Arduino Berlam
. One of the reasons for building such a high monument was the desire to build a victory monument higher than the Berlin Victory Column
, which was 62.3 metres (204.4 ft) high at the time (it was raised in 1939).
Work started only in 1923 and ended on May 24, 1927 with the inauguration in the presence of King Vittorio Emanuele III.
The structure celebrates the Italian victory and commemorates the fallen of the first world war, as testified by the inscription "SPLENDI E RICORDA I CADUTI SUL MARE MCMXV-MCMXVIII" (shine and remind of the fallen on sea 1915-1918).
In 1979 the lighthouse was closed for restoration for seven years, and was reopened to the public May 18, 1986.
(specifically from Vrsar
). It weighs about 8000 tonnes (7,873.6 LT) and construction involved the use of 1500 cubic metres (52,972 cu ft) of stone (or 1300 cubic metres (45,909.1 cu ft)), 2000 cubic metres (70,629.3 cu ft) of concrete and 100 tonnes (98.4 LT) of iron.
Above the column is a capital
and a crow's nest
, in which the bronze crystal cage of the lantern is inserted. The cage is topped by a copper fome with a scale-like motif, on top of which is the 7.2 metres (23.6 ft) statue of winged victory
by sculptor Giovanni Mayer, made of embossed copper and weighing about 7 tonnes (6.9 LT).
A 8.6 metres (28.2 ft) statue of a seaman, also by sculptor Giovanni Mayer, adorns the front of the lighthouse, made from 100 tonnes (98.4 LT) of stone from Vrsar, under which is the anchor
of the Audace (D 551)
, the first Italian ship to enter the port of Trieste on November 3, 1918, is attached. Two projectiles of the Austrian battleship SMS Viribus Unitis
are placed on both sides of the lighthouse entry.
The light itself is an electrical light since its first lighting. The current light is a 1000 watt halogen
bulb.
Lighthouse
A lighthouse is a tower, building, or other type of structure designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses or, in older times, from a fire, and used as an aid to navigation for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways....
in Trieste
Trieste
Trieste is a city and seaport in northeastern Italy. It is situated towards the end of a narrow strip of land lying between the Adriatic Sea and Italy's border with Slovenia, which lies almost immediately south and east of the city...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, serving the Gulf of Trieste
Gulf of Trieste
The Gulf of Trieste is a shallow bay of the Adriatic Sea, in the extreme northern part of the Mediterranean Sea. It is part of the Gulf of Venice and is shared by Italy, Slovenia and Croatia...
. It is located on the hill of Gretta (Poggio di Gretta), off the Strada del Friuli. At a height of 223 feet (68 m) it is one of the tallest lighthouses in the world.
History
The idea to raise a monument in the vicinity arose during World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, following capture of Kobarid
Kobarid
Kobarid is a town and a municipality in the upper Soča valley, western Slovenia, near the Italian border.Kobarid is known for the famous Battle of Caporetto, where the Italian retreat was documented by Ernest Hemingway in his novel A Farewell to Arms. The battle is well documented in the museum in...
in the Battles of the Isonzo
Battles of the Isonzo
The Battles of the Isonzo were a series of 12 battles between the Austro-Hungarian and Italian armies in World War I. They were fought along the Soča River on the eastern sector of the Italian Front between June 1915 and November 1917...
and following the Battle of the Piave River
Battle of the Piave River
The Battle of the Piave River , known in Italy as Battaglia del Solstizio , Battaglia di Mezzo Giugno , or Seconda Battaglia del Piave , was a decisive victory for the Italian Army during World War...
. Originally the lighthouse was to rise on the coast of Istria
Istria
Istria , formerly Histria , is the largest peninsula in the Adriatic Sea. The peninsula is located at the head of the Adriatic between the Gulf of Trieste and the Bay of Kvarner...
, near Pula
Pula
Pula is the largest city in Istria County, Croatia, situated at the southern tip of the Istria peninsula, with a population of 62,080 .Like the rest of the region, it is known for its mild climate, smooth sea, and unspoiled nature. The city has a long tradition of winemaking, fishing,...
. However, the location eventually chosen was the hill of Gretta, due to ideal height (60m above sea-level) and the solid foundations of the former Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
n fort Kressich, built between 1854 and 1857. The lighthouse plans took shape following the end of the war, in December 1918. It was designed by triestine architect Arduino Berlam
Arduino Berlam
Arduino Berlam was an Italian architect who took over the work of his father, Ruggero Berlam.Born in Trieste, from 1905 he actively contributed to his father's works, creating such a harmony that experts now find it difficult to differentiate their work...
. One of the reasons for building such a high monument was the desire to build a victory monument higher than the Berlin Victory Column
Berlin Victory Column
The Victory Column is a monument in Berlin, Germany. Designed by Heinrich Strack after 1864 to commemorate the Prussian victory in the Danish-Prussian War, by the time it was inaugurated on 2 September 1873, Prussia had also defeated Austria in the Austro-Prussian War and France in the...
, which was 62.3 metres (204.4 ft) high at the time (it was raised in 1939).
Work started only in 1923 and ended on May 24, 1927 with the inauguration in the presence of King Vittorio Emanuele III.
The structure celebrates the Italian victory and commemorates the fallen of the first world war, as testified by the inscription "SPLENDI E RICORDA I CADUTI SUL MARE MCMXV-MCMXVIII" (shine and remind of the fallen on sea 1915-1918).
In 1979 the lighthouse was closed for restoration for seven years, and was reopened to the public May 18, 1986.
Structure
The large base of the lighthouse includes the earthwork of the Austrian fort. The bottom of structure is covered by stone from Carso (specifically from Gabrie) and the top is covered by stone from IstriaIstria
Istria , formerly Histria , is the largest peninsula in the Adriatic Sea. The peninsula is located at the head of the Adriatic between the Gulf of Trieste and the Bay of Kvarner...
(specifically from Vrsar
Vrsar
Vrsar is a village in Istria, Croatia.Today, Vrsar is a tourist resort. Vrsar is situated close to a large archipelago with 18 unpopulated islets covered with Mediterranean plants....
). It weighs about 8000 tonnes (7,873.6 LT) and construction involved the use of 1500 cubic metres (52,972 cu ft) of stone (or 1300 cubic metres (45,909.1 cu ft)), 2000 cubic metres (70,629.3 cu ft) of concrete and 100 tonnes (98.4 LT) of iron.
Above the column is a capital
Capital (architecture)
In architecture the capital forms the topmost member of a column . It mediates between the column and the load thrusting down upon it, broadening the area of the column's supporting surface...
and a crow's nest
Crow's nest
A crow's nest is a structure in the upper part of the mainmast of a ship or structure, that is used as a lookout point.This position ensured the best view of the approaching hazards, other ships or land. It was the best device for this purpose until the invention of radar.In early ships it was...
, in which the bronze crystal cage of the lantern is inserted. The cage is topped by a copper fome with a scale-like motif, on top of which is the 7.2 metres (23.6 ft) statue of winged victory
Victoria (mythology)
In ancient Roman religion, Victoria was the personified goddess of victory. She is the Roman equivalent of the Greek goddess Nike, and was associated with Bellona. She was adapted from the Sabine agricultural goddess Vacuna and had a temple on the Palatine Hill...
by sculptor Giovanni Mayer, made of embossed copper and weighing about 7 tonnes (6.9 LT).
A 8.6 metres (28.2 ft) statue of a seaman, also by sculptor Giovanni Mayer, adorns the front of the lighthouse, made from 100 tonnes (98.4 LT) of stone from Vrsar, under which is the anchor
Anchor
An anchor is a device, normally made of metal, that is used to connect a vessel to the bed of a body of water to prevent the vessel from drifting due to wind or current. The word derives from Latin ancora, which itself comes from the Greek ἄγκυρα .Anchors can either be temporary or permanent...
of the Audace (D 551)
Audace class destroyer
The Audace class destroyers were two guided missile destroyers built for the Italian Navy during the Cold War. An improvement of the Impavido class, these ships were designed for area air defence and also had a heavy gun armament...
, the first Italian ship to enter the port of Trieste on November 3, 1918, is attached. Two projectiles of the Austrian battleship SMS Viribus Unitis
SMS Viribus Unitis
SMS Viribus Unitis was the first Austro-Hungarian dreadnought battleship of the . Its name, meaning "With United Forces", was the personal motto of Emperor Franz Joseph I.Viribus Unitis was ordered by the Austro-Hungarian navy in 1908...
are placed on both sides of the lighthouse entry.
The light itself is an electrical light since its first lighting. The current light is a 1000 watt halogen
Halogen
The halogens or halogen elements are a series of nonmetal elements from Group 17 IUPAC Style of the periodic table, comprising fluorine , chlorine , bromine , iodine , and astatine...
bulb.
Visiting
The site of the lighthouse is open to the public. The lighthouse itself is open daily except Wednesdays from April 1 through September 30 and on Sundays and major feast days during the rest of the year. Reaching the top requires climbing 285 steps.See also
- List of tallest lighthouses in the world
- List of lighthouses in Italy