The idea to raise a monument in the vicinity arose during World War I, following capture of Kobarid in the Battles of the Isonzo and following the Battle of the Piave River. Originally the lighthouse was to rise on the coast of Istria, near Pula. However, the location eventually chosen was the hill of Gretta, due to ideal height and the solid foundations of the former Austrian fort Kressich, built between 1854 and 1857. The lighthouse plans took shape following the end of the war, in December 1918. It was designed by Triestine architect Arduino Berlam. One of the reasons for building such a high monument was the desire to build a victory monument higher than the Berlin Victory Column, which was high at the time. Work started only in 1923 and ended on May 24, 1927 with the inauguration in the presence of King Vittorio Emanuele III. The structure celebrates the Italian victory and commemorates the fallen of the first world war, as testified by the inscription "SPLENDI E RICORDA I CADUTI SUL MARE MCMXV-MCMXVIII". In 1979 the lighthouse was closed for restoration for seven years, and was reopened to the publicMay 18, 1986.
Structure
The large base of the lighthouse includes the earthwork of the Austrian fort. The bottom of structure is covered by stone from Carso and the top is covered by stone from Istria. It weighs about and construction involved the use of of stone, of concrete and of iron. Above the column is a capital and a crow's nest, in which the bronze crystal cage of the lantern is inserted. The cage is topped by a copper fome with a scale-like motif, on top of which is the statue of winged victory by sculptor Giovanni Mayer, made of embossed copper and weighing about. A statue of a seaman, also by sculptor Giovanni Mayer, adorns the front of the lighthouse, made from of stone from Vrsar, under which is the anchor of the destroyer Audace, the first Italian ship to enter the port of Trieste on November 3, 1918, is attached. Two projectiles of the Austrian battleship SMS Viribus Unitis are placed on both sides of the lighthouse entry. The light itself is an electrical light since its first lighting. The current light is a 1000 watt halogen bulb.
Visiting
The site of the lighthouse is open to the public. The lighthouse itself is open Saturday and Sunday 3 pm to 7 pm, from the last Saturday of April to the second Sunday of October. Reaching the top requires climbing 285 steps.
