Lighthouse ‘Francesco Crispi’

Cape Guardafui marks the very tip of the Horn of Africa. Part of modern-day Somalia, the region is one of the most remote on the continent, and was historically known as the site of many shipwrecks. 

The British took control of the region in the 19th century, but ceded it to Italy in 1894 and it became part of the Italian colonial project. The Italians first built a lighthouse on the cape in the 1920s, but the current stone and steel structure was inaugurated in 1930. It was named "Faro Francesco Crispi" after the 19th century Italian Prime Minister whose authoritarian streak was said to be an inspiration to Benito Mussolini's fascist regime.

The lighthouse was built in the shape of a "fascio littorio", or fasces,  an ancient Roman weapon that was appropriated as a fascist symbol. Due to its unique shape, it remains one of the most emblematic constructions of Mussolini's Italy. While no longer in use, the lighthouse is a stark reminder of Italy's fascist and colonial past.