Modern & artIstria

Savudrija Lighthouse: the oldest working light on the Adriatic

Savudrija Lighthouse stands on the cape at the north-western tip of Istria, close to the Slovenian border. Completed in 1818, it is the oldest operational light on the Adriatic and was designed by the architect Pietro Nobile. A stone tower with a double gallery, a keeper's house and a stony beach nearby make it a quiet detour for anyone exploring the lighthouses and hidden gems of Croatia.

When Savudrija Lighthouse was new, locals and visitors were so keen to climb it that the keepers were allowed to carry weapons. It was also the first lighthouse run on gas distilled from coal.

WhereCape Savudrija, north-western tip of Istria, in the municipality of Umag, close to the Slovenian border

TypeWorking lighthouse, a 29-metre stone tower completed in 1818

Best forLighthouse and maritime-history fans, coastal walks, swimming and diving

Getting thereAt the far north-west of the Istrian peninsula, a short distance from the village of Savudrija

The history of Savudrija Lighthouse

Savudrija lies at the northern end of the Istrian peninsula, near the southern end of the Gulf of Trieste. Before the Second World War the cape was usually called by its Italian name, Punta Salvore, and the light was known as the Punta Salvore Lighthouse. The Trieste Chamber of Commerce had actively promoted the need for a beacon here, to help ships find their way to the port of Trieste.

The tower was built soon after the Napoleonic Wars, when this stretch of coast had passed to the Habsburg Monarchy. The architect Pietro Nobile designed it and construction began in March 1817. The work was paid for by a share issue organised through the Trieste Chamber of Commerce and was also sponsored by Francis I of Austria, who was present when the light was first lit in April 1818.

The original tower was built of local stone and was 19 metres high, with a double gallery and a grey lantern. The keepers' buildings, a two-storey main house and other single-storey ones, were a later addition finished in 1821. In the late nineteenth century the tower was raised by 10 metres, which gave it the height of 29 metres that it has today.

Savudrija was lit with coal gas, the first lighthouse designed and operated in this way. The coal is recorded as coming from a mine near Labin, where it was distilled into gas. The experiment was widely publicised as a success, but continuing problems meant that the gas system was soon replaced by one burning oil. The Italian lighthouse at Barletta, known as the Faro Napoleon, is considered older (1807), but it was later deactivated and replaced by a breakwater light in 1959, so Savudrija remains the oldest working light on the Adriatic.

Today the lighthouse is run by the state company Plovput. The light is automated, yet it is still staffed, with keepers who help to secure and maintain the site. Since 2000 some rooms inside the lighthouse have been available as holiday accommodation, and in 2007 the Croatian postal service, Hrvatska pošta, featured the lighthouse on a set of commemorative stamps.

Curiosities about Savudrija Lighthouse

It is the oldest operational light on the Adriatic, completed in 1818 and lit in April of that year in the presence of Francis I of Austria.
It was the first lighthouse designed and run on coal gas, although the system had so many problems that it was soon swapped for oil.
Early on, so many people wanted to climb to the top, even by force, that the keepers were allowed to carry weapons and to shoot if necessary.
A romantic legend says that Count Metternich had it built for a noble Croatian lady he fell for at a ball in Vienna; she is said to have died on the day it was finished, and he never entered it again. It remains a legend.
The light sits 36 metres above the sea, shows three white flashes every fifteen seconds and has a range of 30 nautical miles.
Keeping the light has been a family tradition: Wikipedia notes a line of keepers going back five generations of one local family.

Tours near Savudrija Lighthouse

Experiences in the area that you can book online with Viator:

Rovinj amazing kayak tour-free drink &snorkeling &jumps &photos

★ 5 (62 reviews) · 3 h

See details ›

Poreč sunset sea kayaking tour

★ 4.9 (64 reviews) · 3 h

See details ›

1.5-hour Clear Kayak Rentals: Explore Verudela Cave & Islands

★ 5 (40 reviews) · 1.5 h

See details ›

Exploration of the Istrian Coast Poreč Rovinj Lim fjord and Vrsar

★ 4.7 (42 reviews) · 6 h

See details ›

Visiting Savudrija Lighthouse

The lighthouse is a working navigation light, so it is best seen as a place to admire from outside: a cylindrical stone tower with a double gallery and lantern, rising from the keeper's house. Wikipedia does not say whether the tower can be climbed, so ask locally.
About 30 metres from the lighthouse there is a stony beach that suits swimmers. The favourable winds make the area good for windsurfing, and the clear sea and rocky seabed are popular with divers.
Rooms inside the lighthouse can be rented as holiday accommodation; check the current availability before you go.
The cape lies in the far north-west of Istria, close to the border with Slovenia, so it can be combined with a day on the Istrian coast.

Opening hours, access and conditions can change. Check before you go.

Map: where Savudrija Lighthouse is

Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors

Photos of Savudrija Lighthouse

Questions

Where is Savudrija Lighthouse?

It stands on the cape at the north-western tip of the Istrian peninsula, near the village of Savudrija in the municipality of Umag and close to the Slovenian border.

How old is Savudrija Lighthouse?

Construction began in March 1817 and the light was first lit in April 1818. It is regarded as the oldest operational light on the Adriatic.

Who designed Savudrija Lighthouse?

The architect Pietro Nobile designed it. It was financed by a share issue through the Trieste Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Francis I of Austria.

How tall is Savudrija Lighthouse?

The tower is 29 metres high, after being raised by 10 metres in the late nineteenth century, and its light is 36 metres above the sea.

Can you stay at Savudrija Lighthouse?

Yes. Since 2000, rooms within the lighthouse have been made available for rent as holiday accommodation. Check the current availability before you go.

Can you swim near Savudrija Lighthouse?

Croatian Wikipedia mentions a stony beach about 30 metres from the lighthouse that is suitable for swimmers, with good conditions for windsurfing and diving.