Formiche di Grosseto

Formiche di Grosseto

The largest of the Formiche di Grosseto with the lighthouse
Geography
Location Tyrrhenian Sea
Archipelago Tuscan Archipelago
Total islands 3
Major islands Formica Grande
Area 0.12 km2 (0.046 sq mi)
Administration
Italy
Region Tuscany
Province Grosseto
Comune Grosseto
Demographics
Population uninhabited

The Formiche di Grosseto ("Ants of Grosseto") is a group of islets which emerge sharply in the Tuscan Archipelago. They are located in open sea among the coast of the Natural Park of Maremma and Pianosa, approximately 13 nautical miles (24 km) from Porto Santo Stefano on Monte Argentario and 9.4 miles (15.1 km) from Marina di Grosseto; they are part of the comune of Grosseto and are placed in a nature reserve which makes part of a special protection area.

Description

The Formiche di Grosseto are three islets named, according to their dimensions, Formichino, Formica Media and Formica Grande which develop a total surface of about 120,000 square metres which extend lined up from north-west to south-east over one mile. Formichino is the smallest and is formed by two skerries, is the southernmost and has an area of only 20 square metres. Formica Media is a long narrow strip of rock that continues under water situated on a shoal. Formica Grande is the largest, has a rhomboidal shape, it is 370 metres long and 230 metres wide, is the northernmost and home a lighthouse. The island has three old docking points on three different sides to permit the mooring depending of the wind and is equipped with a helipad utilized for the maintenance of the lighthouse.[1]

Flora and fauna

Diving at Formiche di Grosseto

The Formiche di Grosseto is a place enjoyed by scuba divers for the richness of its waters. The seabed is prosperous in sponges, gorgoniidae, sabella spallanzanii and in fishes as grouper, sarago, conger, muraena, astice and lobster. [2]

Scoglio Formiche di Grosseto lighthouse

Scoglio Formiche di Grosseto lighthouse
Tuscany
Location Marina di Grosseto
Tuscany
Italy
Coordinates 42°34′35.2″N 10°52′55.1″E / 42.576444°N 10.881972°E / 42.576444; 10.881972
Year first constructed 1919
Automated yes
Construction concrete and brick tower
Tower shape cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery on one-story keeper’s house
Markings / pattern white tower
Height 39 feet (12 m)
Focal height 75 feet (23 m)
Light source solar power
Range 10 nautical miles (19 km; 12 mi)
Characteristic FI W 6s.
Fog signal no
Admiralty number E1474
NGA number 9056
ARLHS number ITA-203
Italy number 2136 E.F
Managing agent Marina Militare[3]

The lighthouse and the keeper’s house were built in 1901 and restored in 1919 by Regia Marina. The lighthouse is fully automated, still active and operated by Marina Militare identified by the code number 2136 E.F. It is formed by a white building with the cylindrical tower, 12 metre high, built on the front side. It has a solar power unit, and the lantern emit a single white flash every 6 seconds visible up to 11 nautical miles.[4]

See also

References


Wikimedia Commons has media related to Formiche di Grosseto.

Coordinates: 42°34′35″N 10°52′55″E / 42.57639°N 10.88194°E / 42.57639; 10.88194


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