LighthousesLighthouses / Torre San Giovanni - Ugento (LE)
S. Giovanni's tower lighthouse
Commissioned by Charles V in the 16th century as a site of defense against the Saracens, is located on a small promontory jutting into the sea, which divides the Ugento coast in half. To the north we have the rocky part, fairly low almost everywhere, while to the south, past the harbor area, it features the famous sandy beaches, fine and white, which attracts tourists from all over Italy and abroad. Over the centuries, its function has changed. From watch tower it has become a beacon for the relief of sailors who always stumble into dangerous shoals, located right next to the light signal.
Characteristic is its appearance: the black and white tiles, arranged in the shape of a giant chessboard, make the tower visible from a great distance from the sea.