Meloria

Meloria shoal

The tower of Meloria
Geography
Location Ligurian Sea
Archipelago Tuscan Archipelago
Total islands 2
Administration
Italy
Region Tuscany
Province Livorno
Comune Livorno
Demographics
Population uninhabited

Meloria is a rocky skerry, surrounded by a shoal, off the Tuscan coast, in the Ligurian sea,[1] 6.1 kilometres (3.8 mi) north-west of Livorno.

Meloria shoal

The Meloria shoal is an attractive archaeological, naturalistic and historical region that makes part, since 2010, of the Area Marina Protetta Secche della Meloria (Meloria shoal Marine Protected Area) assigned to the Parco naturale di Migliarino, San Rossore, Massaciuccoli (Natural Park of Migliarino, San Rossore, Massaciucoli) for the management. The shoal is formed by a rocky bank surrounded by swallow water sandy and muddy of the surface of 9,372 hectare extending up to 12 km offshore. The seabed varies from 2 meters to 30 meters and the habitat is an alternating of rocky areas with characteristic basins seabed with prairies of Posidonia. The sea flora consists mainly of Posidonia and Caulerpa racemosa while the fauna has a rich variety as: Symphodus roissali, Serranus cabrilla, Scorpaena scrofa, Muraena helena, Coris julis, Aphia minuta, Pelagia noctiluca and others. [2] Geologically the Meloria consists of a calcareous sandstone bench corresponding to an active undersea fault called Rift of Meloria which caused numerous local earthquakes up to 3,5 in the Richter magnitude scale. [3]

Meloria Tower

The Pisans built in 1157 on a surfacing rock of the Meloria shoal a lighthouse in order to avoid the wrecking of the ships directed to Porto Pisano. It was decided to keep a navigational light giving the task to the Augustinians monks of the hermitage of San Jacopo in Acquaviva by Livorno signing a written agreement for the work. [4] The tower went destroyed by Genoese and a second tower was built in 1598 on order of Ferdinando I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany then destroyed by the bad weather.[5] The current tower was built in 1709 by Cosimo III de' Medici and has a characteristic form; it is formed by four quadrangular pillars connected by Gothic arches above which arise the tower 15 meters high. The tower was built on the pillars to allow the flow of the waves but had no signalling light. On the south side of the tower is the Latin inscription: “Pro navigntium securitate ad latentes copulo evitandos” (For the sailors safety pay attention to the reef). In 1986 the tower underwent to a complete renovation.

Meloria lighthouses

Meloria Shoal south end lighthouse
Tuscany
Location Livorno
Tuscany
Italy
Coordinates 43°32′45.9″N 10°13′07.9″E / 43.546083°N 10.218861°E / 43.546083; 10.218861
Year first constructed 1867 (first)
Year first lit 1950s (current)
Automated yes
Construction concrete and brick tower
Tower shape cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery
Markings / pattern upper half painted yellow, lower half painted black
Height 59 feet (18 m)
Focal height 66 feet (20 m)
Light source solar power
Range 10 nautical miles (19 km; 12 mi)
Characteristic Q (6) + L FI 10s.
Fog signal no
Admiralty number E1348
NGA number 7876
ARLHS number ITA-291
Italy number 1888 E.F
Managing agent Marina Militare

Meloria shoal south end lighthouse

Because the Meloria Tower had not been an active lighthouse for some time, on May 15, 1867 (157 meters from the Meloria shoal) a 20-meter high metal structure lighthouse was installed. It was replaced in 1950s by a new round cylindrical tower 18 meters high with lantern and balcony; it is distinguished by the upper half painted in yellow and the lower half in black. The lighthouse is active and operated by Marina Militare identified by the number 1888 E.F.; it has a solar power unit and has six quick flashing and one long white flash in a ten seconds period.[6]

Meloria shoal north end lighthouse

Meloria north end lighthouse

This cylindrical tower was built in the 1950s in white concrete, 18 meters high with lantern and balcony. The lighthouse is situated 9 km north of the Meloria Tower and 14 km north west of Livorno. The lighthouse is active and operated by Marina Militare identified by the number 1884 E.F.; it has a solar power unit and has a white flash in a ten seconds period.[7][8]

Meloria Naval battles

First Battle of Meloria

The first Battle of Meloria, on May 3, 1241, was fought between the fleet of the emperor Frederick II, surnamed Stupor Mundi, in alliance with Pisa, against a Genoese squadron and ended with a Pisan and Imperial victory.

Second Battle of Meloria

The second battle, fought on Sunday August 6, 1284, was of higher historical importance. Usually, "Battle of Meloria" refers to this battle. It was a typical medieval sea-fight, and accomplished the ruin of Pisa as a naval power, in favour of Genoa.

Meloria air crash

On 9 November 1971, a Royal Air Force Lockheed Hercules C.1 crashed into the sea off the coast of Livorno on the Meloria shoal, killing all 46 passengers and 6 crew.[9] At the time it was described by Italian officials as the worst military air disaster in Italy in peacetime.[10]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Mar Ligure Marina Militare
  2. ↑ Meloria shoal Natural park
  3. ↑ Duolingo Secche della Meloria
  4. ↑ Annali di Livorno by Giuseppe Vivoli
  5. ↑ La Meloria
  6. ↑ Meloria south end lighthouse Marina Militare
  7. ↑ Lighthouses of Italy University of North Carolina
  8. ↑ Meloria north end lighthouse Marina Militare
  9. ↑ "Lockheed Hercules C.1 XV216 Pisa". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  10. ↑ Peter Nichols (10 November 1971). "RAF Plane crashed in Italy, killing 52". The Times (58321). London. p. 1.
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Coordinates: 43°32′52.3206″N 10°13′8.788″E / 43.547866833°N 10.21910778°E / 43.547866833; 10.21910778

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