Faro di Punta Scorno

Faro di Punta Scorno is a lighthouse standing on the northernmost tip of Asinara island, part of the municipality of Porto Torres in Sardinia. It's one of the oldest working lighthouses on the Sardinian coast and a landmark that has guided sailors through the Sardinian Sea for more than 160 years.

Why was a lighthouse built at Punta Scorno?

Construction was authorized on 16 February 1854 by the King of Sardinia, after General Alfonso La Marmora highlighted the need for better navigational markers along the Sardinian coastline. The work was carried out in two stages: first the 35-metre tower itself was built, and only afterwards did a three-storey service building go up around it to house the keepers and equipment. The light became operational in 1859, and it has been guiding ships around the island's northern point ever since.

How does the light itself work?

Punta Scorno is a first-order lighthouse fitted with a Fresnel lens producing a fixed white light. Its nominal range reaches 30 nautical miles, though in practice the beam is visible from up to 16 nautical miles away, or almost 30 kilometres. The light covers an arc of 260 degrees, wide enough to warn ships approaching the rocky, hazardous headland from multiple directions.

Who used to live at the lighthouse?

For 118 years the lighthouse was staffed by keepers who lived on site with their families, maintaining the mechanism and keeping the light fuelled and running. Automation was completed only in 1977, ending the need for a permanent human presence in this remote spot. Today the light operates unattended, while the old station buildings still stand as a reminder of that era.

How do you get to Punta Scorno?

Asinara has no permanent residents and no tourist car traffic — it's a national park reachable only by sea, usually with a boat from Porto Torres or nearby Stintino. Once on the island, visitors get around on foot, by bike, or on organized tours, and reaching Punta Scorno itself, at the island's northern tip, typically means a longer route and a good chunk of the day, so it's worth planning the trip well in advance.

What else should you know about Asinara before visiting?

Asinara is more than lighthouses and coastline — it's an island with a turbulent history. For decades it housed a penal colony, and access was closed to ordinary visitors. Today, as a national park, the island carries the legacy of that difficult past alongside genuine conservation value: expect to see the island's famous white donkeys and a largely undeveloped coastline that survived precisely because access was restricted for so long.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you go inside the Punta Scorno lighthouse? The lighthouse is an active, automated navigational aid, and access to the interior is limited — it functions mainly as a scenic landmark and hiking destination rather than a museum with regular opening hours.

What's the easiest way to see the lighthouse on Asinara? The most straightforward option is an organized boat trip from Porto Torres or Stintino, followed by exploring the island on foot, by bike, or by minibus, depending on the tour arrangement available.

What makes Asinara different from other Sardinian islands? It was closed off for decades as a penal colony, which limited development and human interference — today it's a national park with well-preserved nature and a unique history.

Is the lighthouse still in operation today? Yes, even though it has been automated since 1977, it continues to actively guide ships, warning sailors away from the rocky northern tip of the island.