The headland of Capo Bellavista, three kilometres from Arbatax, houses the Faro di Capo Bellavista at 165 metres above sea level (fig. 1).

Fig. 1 - The headland of Capo Bellavista with its Lighthouse (photo by Unicity S.p.A.).

Between the XVI and XVII century, three lookout towers were built to defend and protect the territory against pirate raids in this part of the East Sardinian coast.

The towers of San Miguel and San Gemiliano (XVI-XVII century) are still visible, while the third, called “di Largavista” was built before 1639 on the top of the headland and was demolished in 1866 to make room for the Bellavista Lighthouse. The tower's name came from the fact that from its position you had an ample view of over 45 km from the coast.

The lighthouse is 19 metres high and its light beam has a range of 26 miles. The large lantern is surmounted by a cast iron dome ending with a wind vane and the outer windows are embellished with small heads of lions hiding the outflow of rainwater (fig. 2).

Fig. 2 - The lantern (photo by Unicity S.p.A.).

Activated in 1866 by the Royal Office of Civil Engineers, the Lighthouse was modified various times in 1884 and in 1906. In 1974, a radar station to control the polygons of Perdasdefogu and Salto di Quirra was installed in its immediate vicinity. In 1982 they positioned a Faraday cage (fig. 3).

Fig. 3 - The top of the lighthouse with the Faraday cage (photo by Unicity SpA).

The building, on two floors, has two lodgings and a room used as an office (fig. 4).

Fig. 4 - Perspective and section of the Lighthouse (by Calanca 2006, p. 106).