Bari's San Cataldo Lighthouse Reopens as Museum of the Lighthouse and Radio
In early March, the San Cataldo Lighthouse, recognized as the third tallest in Bari, Italy, reopened its doors as the Museo del Faro e della Radio. This site holds historical importance due to Guglielmo Marconi's inaugural radio transmission experiment over the Adriatic, which took place on August 3, 1904. The restoration was made possible through the CoHeN-Coastal Heritage Network initiative, supported by the Interreg Greece-Italy 2014/2020 program. The museum showcases radio history exhibits, including collections from the Italian Amateur Radio Association and Alberto Chiantera. Additionally, it features a video story about Puglia's lighthouses and a unique painting installation, "Bagnanti al faro" (2024), by Francesco Lauretta. Visits are limited to 21 people and require an appointment, with a 3 euro entry fee.
Key facts
- San Cataldo Lighthouse in Bari reopened as Museo del Faro e della Radio in early March.
- It is Italy's third tallest lighthouse.
- Guglielmo Marconi conducted the first radio transmission across the Adriatic from here on August 3, 1904.
- Restoration was part of the CoHeN-Coastal Heritage Network project funded by Interreg Greece-Italy 2014/2020.
- The museum displays radios from Alberto Chiantera and the Italian Amateur Radio Association (Bari section).
- A permanent installation 'Bagnanti al faro' (2024) by Francesco Lauretta is exhibited.
- The installation was part of 'Fari e torri del fuoco segreto' curated by Christian Caliandro and Nicola Zito.
- The project involved artists Gea Casolaro, Serena Fineschi, Claudia Giannuli, Isabella Mongelli, and Virginia Zanetti.
- The museum is managed by Vedetta sul Mediterraneo, president Nicolò Carnimeo.
- Visits are by appointment on Friday, Saturday, Sunday at 10 AM, max 21 people, 3 euro entry.
Entities
Artists
- Francesco Lauretta
- Gea Casolaro
- Serena Fineschi
- Claudia Giannuli
- Isabella Mongelli
- Virginia Zanetti
- Guglielmo Marconi
- Christian Caliandro
- Nicola Zito
- Nicolò Carnimeo
- Alberto Chiantera
Institutions
- Museo del Faro e della Radio
- CoHeN-Coastal Heritage Network
- Interreg Greece-Italy 2014/2020
- Fondazione Pino Pascali
- Dipartimento Turismo, Economia della Cultura e Valorizzazione del Territorio della Regione Puglia
- Vedetta sul Mediterraneo
- Associazione Italiana Radioamatori (sezione di Bari)
- Fondazione Pascali di Polignano a Mare
Locations
- Bari
- Italy
- Adriatic Sea
- Montenegro
- Puglia
- San Cataldo
- Ugento
- Vieste
- Margherita di Savoia
- Molfetta
- Otranto
- Polignano a Mare