Location Tyrrhenian Sea Major islands Formica Grande Region Tuscany Archipelago Tuscan Archipelago | Total islands 3 Area 0.12 km (0.046 sq mi) Comune Grosseto Province Province of Grosseto | |
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The Formiche di Grosseto ("Ants of Grosseto") is a group of islets which emerge sharply in the Tuscan Archipelago. They are located in open sea among the coast of the Natural Park of Maremma and Pianosa, approximately 13 nautical miles (24 km) from Porto Santo Stefano on Monte Argentario and 9.4 miles (15.1 km) from Marina di Grosseto; they are part of the comune of Grosseto and are placed in a nature reserve which makes part of a special protection area.
Contents
- Map of Formica Grande Italy
- Description
- Flora and fauna
- Scoglio Formiche di Grosseto lighthouse
- References
Map of Formica Grande, Italy
Description
The Formiche di Grosseto are three islets named, according to their dimensions, Formichino, Formica Media and Formica Grande which develop a total surface of about 120,000 square metres which extend lined up from north-west to south-east over one mile. Formichino is the smallest and is formed by two skerries, is the southernmost and has an area of only 20 square metres. Formica Media is a long narrow strip of rock that continues under water situated on a shoal. Formica Grande is the largest, has a rhomboidal shape, it is 370 metres long and 230 metres wide, is the northernmost and home a lighthouse. The island has three old docking points on three different sides to permit the mooring depending of the wind and is equipped with a helipad utilized for the maintenance of the lighthouse.
Flora and fauna
The Formiche di Grosseto is a place enjoyed by scuba divers for the richness of its waters. The seabed is prosperous in sponges, gorgoniidae, sabella spallanzanii and in fishes as grouper, sarago, conger, muraena, astice and lobster.
Scoglio Formiche di Grosseto lighthouse
The lighthouse and the keeper’s house were built in 1901 and restored in 1919 by Regia Marina. The lighthouse is fully automated, still active and operated by Marina Militare identified by the code number 2136 E.F. It is formed by a white building with the cylindrical tower, 12 metre high, built on the front side. It has a solar power unit, and the lantern emit a single white flash every 6 seconds visible up to 11 nautical miles.