La Rocchetta Lighthouse, Piombino, Tuscany, Italy (© StevanZZ/Getty Images)
Perched at the far edge of Piazza Bovio in Piombino, Tuscany, Italy, is the Piombino Lighthouse. Locally, it is known as 'Faro di Piombino' or 'La Rocchetta Lighthouse.' It overlooks the point where the Tuscan coast faces the island of Elba.
The lighthouse was built in the 20th century on the remains of an older fortification. Despite its small size and neo-Gothic style, it plays an important role. Its light is visible offshore and helps guide vessels through the channel between Piombino and the Tuscan Archipelago.
What makes it especially memorable, however, is its setting. Piazza Bovio, often described as one of Italy's most striking seaside squares, offers expansive views across the Tyrrhenian Sea and the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago. On clear days, you can see all the way to Elba, while sunset turns the headland into a natural lookout point. More than a navigational aid, the lighthouse has become one of Piombino's best-known symbols, where maritime history and the coastal landscape still meet.