Monument to the Fallen of Vega 10

The Monument to the Fallen of Vega 10 stands on the ridge of Monte Serra, in the municipality of Calci just above Buti in Tuscany, marking one of the deadliest military air disasters in Italian history.

What happened here?

On Thursday, March 3, 1977, a C-130H Hercules transport aircraft of the Italian Air Force's 46th Air Brigade, radio callsign "Vega 10", took off from Pisa-San Giusto airport at 15:05. On board were 38 first-year cadets from the Naval Academy of Livorno, their supervising officer Lieutenant Commander Emilio Attramini, and a five-member flight crew. About five minutes after takeoff, at roughly 15:10, the aircraft made an unexplained left turn and entered the Serra valley. Flying low in poor visibility, it struck the slopes of Monte Serra. All 44 people on board were killed.

Two days later, on March 5, 1977, a funeral service was held at the grounds of the Naval Academy, attended by Italian President Giovanni Leone and an estimated 20,000 people. The surviving cadets — who had not been aboard that flight — later chose the name "Invicti" (unconquered, undivided) for their course while training aboard the sail ship Amerigo Vespucci that same year.

What will you see at the monument?

The memorial was built in 1978–79 directly on the mountain ridge where the crash occurred. Its distinctive form consists of two large reinforced-concrete wings stretching across the ridgeline, evoking both an aircraft's wings and a naval emblem. Inside a small chapel, four marble tablets list the names and ranks of all 44 victims, topped by a bronze inscription reading "una sors coniunxit" — "one fate joined them together".

Crowning the structure is a rotating lighthouse beacon, built at the Arsenal of La Spezia and bearing the emblems of both the 46th Air Brigade and the Naval Academy. It is not a maritime lighthouse in the traditional sense, but on clear nights its beam — visible from roughly 15 miles away — can be seen from trains and roads between Livorno and Pisa, flashing three times for three seconds with nine-second pauses between sequences. Because of this beacon, families of the victims affectionately call the monument "Il Faro" — The Lighthouse.

How do you get there?

The monument sits along a hiking route on the Monte Serra ridge, within reasonable reach of Buti, and is a well-known stop for hikers and cyclists exploring the hills between Pisa and Livorno. Reaching it requires walking or cycling along mountain trails, so sturdy footwear and a check of weather conditions are advisable — visibility on the ridge can drop quickly, much as it did on the day of the crash.

When is the best time to visit?

Clear days offer the best experience, when the ridge opens onto wide views over the valley and toward the Tyrrhenian Sea. The site has a solemn, reflective character, so it is worth setting aside time to visit the chapel quietly and read the names on the tablets.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Monument to the Fallen of Vega 10? It is a memorial built on Monte Serra to honor the 44 people who died when the C-130 Hercules aircraft "Vega 10" crashed on March 3, 1977.

How many people died in the crash? 44 people died: 38 cadets from the Naval Academy of Livorno, their supervising officer, and the aircraft's five-member crew.

Why is the monument called "Il Faro"? Because of the rotating lighthouse beacon mounted on top of the structure, visible at night from nearby roads and railway lines; victims' families gave it this affectionate nickname.

Is the monument easy to reach from Buti? Yes, it lies along a trail on the Monte Serra ridge accessible on foot or by bike from the Buti area, and it is a popular destination for hikers in the region.