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Lighthouse of Lierna

The Lighthouse of Lierna is an imposing granite stele by the Milanese sculptor Giannino Castiglioni, located in Lierna, Lombardy, on the shore of Lake Como. Created between 1925 and 1926, it was inaugurated in the presence of the Duke of Aosta, Emanuele Filiberto di Savoia. Castiglioni drew inspiration from one of his own works, The Lighthouse, in which a woman lifts a child toward the lake. At the base of the monument is a fountain with Val Donedo water, while a functioning lighthouse stands at the top. Monumental steps lead down to the lake, evoking a cascade flowing from the fountain into the water. The work underwent a complete conservative restoration in 2016.

Lighthouse of Lierna, a tall stone monument with a green lantern top beside dense trees.
The Lighthouse of Lierna stands against an overcast sky, framed by dark green trees.
April 2015 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Stone stairs covered with autumn leaves lead up to the Lighthouse of Lierna on a grassy slope, framed by cypress trees and mountains beyond.
The Lighthouse of Lierna rises above a long stone staircase leading up from the lake.
January 2020 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Lighthouse of Lierna standing by Lake Como with people gathered around it and mountains in the distance.
The Lighthouse of Lierna overlooks Lake Como in this 1910 photograph, with visitors gathered nearby beneath umbrellas.
January 1920 © Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain
A long stone staircase leads up to the Lighthouse of Lierna, framed by slender trees with mountains in the background.
The Lighthouse of Lierna seen beyond a stone staircase, in an old black-and-white photograph.
January 1945 © · Public domain

Identification

TitleLighthouse of Lierna
Alternative titleMadonna col Bambino
Typemonumental granite stele
Art formartistic multiple
Original titleIl Faro di Lierna

Historical context

Date of creation1925–1926
InaugurationInaugurated in the presence of Duke of Aosta Emanuele Filiberto di Savoia, nephew of the first King of Italy

Creator

InspirationInspired by his own work Il Faro
SignatureCastiglioni's signature is visible just below the rock
Associated themeCastiglioni, like Leonardo da Vinci, studied the movement of water
OriginMilan
Artist significanceAmong the most significant Italian sculptors of the 20th century
NationalityItalian
ArtistGiannino Castiglioni

Discovery and provenance

Provenance noteThe inspired work depicted a woman lifting a child toward the lake

Physical characteristics

StaircaseMonumental staircase descending to the lake
TechniqueBas-relief
CompositionA standing woman on a rock raises a child overhead with both arms
MaterialGranite
Top featureFunctioning lighthouse
Water sourceCurative Val Donedo water, mentioned by the ancient Romans
Base featureFountain of water at the foot of the stele
DescriptionA majestic monument featuring a stele with a fountain at its base and a functioning lighthouse at the top

Materials

MaterialBronze

Appearance

Visual effectDistinctive bronze effects
Depicted figureStanding woman
Depicted figureChild held aloft toward the sky
Depicted objectRock

Iconography and meaning

Symbolic interpretationThe staircase symbolizes a cascade or waterfall from the fountain descending into the lake

Location and ownership

LocationPiazza di Lierna, Lierna, Lombardy, Italy, on the shore of Lake Como

History and restoration

RestorationComplete conservative restoration in 2016