Punta Secca: Torre Scalambri and Lighthouse

Punta Secca brings together buildings from different centuries, a small waterfront promenade and a connection to the harbour. Torre Scalambri, the church of Madonna Assunta, also known as Portosalvo, and the lighthouse each tell a story of their own. The promenade begins at Piazza del Faro and offers views of the sunsets.

Building history across different eras

Torre Scalambri was built towards the end of the 16th century. It formed part of an extensive coastal defence system designed to counter frequent pirate raids. After being reconstructed around the middle of the 18th century, the tower took on its present form. The history of Torre Scalambri therefore includes both its earlier role and its later building phase. Anyone interested in the history of the coastal area will find a tangible structure here that brings these two aspects together.

The Punta Secca lighthouse takes the timeline into the 19th century: it was completed in 1859 and entered service on 1 October of that same year. It stands 36 metres tall. Unlike Torre Scalambri, the lighthouse is described in terms of different details: precise dates for its completion and the start of its operation, as well as a specific height. This makes it possible to consider the two towers not only as buildings, but also through their different historical contexts.

The small church of Madonna Assunta, also known as Portosalvo, was built in 1767. Together with the reconstruction of the tower around the middle of the 18th century, it places two building histories in this era; the lighthouse, dating to 1859, provides a later point of reference. This sequence offers a simple way into the history of the area: you can distinguish the buildings by their different periods of construction and use.

Waterfront promenade and small harbour

The small waterfront promenade offers a different focus. It begins at Piazza del Faro and gives visitors views of atmospheric sunsets. This adds a place to spend time outdoors alongside the historic buildings. When planning your time in Punta Secca, you can make the promenade an evening activity alongside exploring the area’s history.

Above the small harbour, there is a belvedere at the former site of the barracks of the customs service and Guardia di Finanza. This location connects its position above the harbour with the history of the former barracks. To orient yourself, it helps to distinguish this spot from the promenade at Piazza del Faro: they are two different places in Punta Secca described here.

Plan your stay and arrival

The accommodation that suits your trip also depends on which side of Punta Secca you want to focus on. For a stay shaped by cultural history, the tower, church and lighthouse offer different points of connection to the past; for an evening outdoors, the waterfront promenade offers a different focus. Use these interests to guide your search for a hotel or other accommodation in Punta Secca.

If you are travelling with children, the timeline can provide a thread for exploring together: from the older tower, to the church dating from 1767, to the lighthouse, which entered service in 1859. This lets you focus on the different stories rather than treating every building in the same way.

Punta Secca has a restricted traffic zone with limited vehicle access. Take this into account when planning your arrival and check the current traffic regulations before setting out. Operational details can change seasonally, so it is a good idea to check shortly before you arrive.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Caucana-Finaiti-Casuzze-Finaiti N., Eredità, San Filippo, Sampieri, Campanella-gianforma, Marina Di Modica, Comiso, Marina Di Ragusa

For the overview of the wider area: Ragusa.