Ancona old lighthouse

The old lighthouse of Ancona sits on top of Cappuccini hill, inside the city's Cardeto Park, and remains one of the most recognizable viewpoints over the Adriatic in this part of the Marche region.

Where is the old lighthouse located?

The tower stands on Cappuccini hill, within Parco del Cardeto — Ancona's largest urban park, spread across the summits of Monte Cappuccini and Monte Cardeto right above the sea. The spot sits almost within the historic centre of Ancona, yet it opens onto sweeping views of the open Adriatic and the city's port basin below.

What is the history behind this lighthouse?

The tower was built in the nineteenth century on the initiative of Pope Pius IX. It began operating on 10 July 1860, sending out a white flash every 45 seconds, preceded by four seconds of dimmer light. For over a century it guided ships toward Ancona, until 1965, when authorities approved a new, fully automated lighthouse roughly 200 metres to the southeast; that replacement entered service in 1972. The newer lighthouse still actively guides vessels into Ancona's harbour today, while the older tower on Cappuccini hill has survived purely as a historic landmark.

Can visitors go inside today?

Once its navigational role ended, the old lighthouse stayed shut for close to forty years. A restoration in 2000 reopened it to the public, and thanks to Legambiente volunteers, thousands of residents and tourists were able to climb up to its viewing gallery over the following four years. Since 2005, though, access inside has been blocked because of a damaged step on the stairway, so the lighthouse can currently only be admired from outside, along the park's paths. It's worth checking locally, since access conditions can change.

What else is there to see in Parco del Cardeto?

The lighthouse is only part of the story. Cardeto Park is a sprawling green area above the cliffs, opened as an urban park in 2005, laced with walking paths, lookout points over Ancona's bay, and the remains of old military fortifications scattered across the hills. Walking through the park lets you pair the view of the old lighthouse with a wider panorama that takes in the harbour, the San Ciriaco cathedral, and the Riviera del Conero coastline in the distance. Locals treat it as a favourite spot for evening walks and quiet time above the sea, away from the traffic of the city centre.

How do you get there, and when is the best time to visit?

Cappuccini hill is within walking distance of Ancona's historic centre, though reaching it means climbing uphill, so it's worth timing the walk for the cooler parts of the day, especially in summer. The best light for photographing the lighthouse and the cliff-lined coast comes in the late afternoon before sunset, and spring and autumn tend to offer more comfortable temperatures for the climb than the height of summer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the old lighthouse in Ancona still used for navigation? No. Since 1972, a new lighthouse built about 200 metres away has taken over the navigational role, and the old tower on Cappuccini hill now stands purely as a historic structure.

Can you climb to the top of the old lighthouse? Access inside has been closed since 2005 because of a damaged step. Before that, following a 2000 restoration, the lighthouse could be visited thanks to Legambiente volunteers.

What is Parco del Cardeto? It's Ancona's largest urban park, opened in 2005, covering the Cappuccini and Cardeto hills above the sea, with numerous viewpoints and traces of old military fortifications.

When is the best time to visit to see the lighthouse? Late afternoon before sunset offers the best light, and spring or autumn bring more comfortable temperatures for the uphill walk than the peak of summer.