Vittoria Light

Vittoria Light

Vittoria Light in 2015
Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Location	Trieste Friuli-Venezia Giulia Italy
Coordinates	45°40′32.28″N 13°45′25.23″E / 45.6756333°N 13.7570083°E / 45.6756333; 13.7570083Coordinates: 45°40′32.28″N 13°45′25.23″E / 45.6756333°N 13.7570083°E / 45.6756333; 13.7570083
Year first constructed	1927
Foundation	earthwork
Construction	stone tower
Tower shape	tapered cylindrical tower, crowned by a bronze statue
Markings / pattern	white tower, bronze figure
Height	67.85 metres (222.6 ft)
Focal height	115 metres (377 ft)
Original lens	Fresnel lens
Light source	mains power
Intensity	1,250,000 cd
Range	main: 22 nautical miles (41 km; 25 mi) reserve: 18 nautical miles (33 km; 21 mi)
Characteristic	Fl 8"9 W 10s.
Admiralty number	E2558
NGA number	113-11676
ARLHS number	ITA-174
Italy number	4376 E.F.
Managing agent	Marina Militare
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Vittoria Light (Italian: Faro della Vittoria) 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.

The idea to raise a monument in the vicinity arose during World War I, 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 Austrian 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 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.

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 Istria (specifically from Vrsar). It weighs about 8,000 tonnes (7,900 long tons; 8,800 short tons) and construction involved the use of 1,500 cubic metres (53,000 cu ft) of stone (or 1,300 cubic metres (46,000 cu ft)), 2,000 cubic metres (71,000 cu ft) of concrete and 100 tonnes (98 long tons; 110 short tons) of iron.