Lighthouses of Sweden: Nynäshamn Area

This page covers lighthouses of the southern part of Stockholms Län (Stockholm County), from Landsort in the south to Sandhamn due east of Stockholm. The coastline of this area includes a maze of islands and waterways known as the Stockholm Archipelago. The many channels and passages require a large number of lighthouses, but nearly all of them are located offshore or on isolated islands; only a few are easily accessible to the public.

The Swedish word for a lighthouse is fyr. The front light of a range is the nedrefyr (lower light) and the rear light is the övrefyr (upper light). Aids to navigation in Sweden are maintained by the Swedish Maritime Administration (Sjöfartsverket). Many of the major lighthouses have resident attendents, and guided tours can often be arranged. The Swedish Lighthouse Society (Svenska Fyrsällskapet) works for the preservation of the lighthouses.

ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. SV numbers are from the Sjöfarsverket light list (Fyrlista) as reported by the Swedish Lighthouse Society. Admiralty numbers are from volume C of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA List numbers are from Publication 116.

General Sources
Swedish Lighthouse Society (Svenska Fyrsällskapet, SFA)
The Society has a large web site, and some of the information is available in English as well as Swedish. An interactive map links to pdf pages (in Swedish) for the major lighthouses, and there is a list of photos available.
Online List of Lights - Sweden
Photos of navigational aids posted by Alex Trabas.
Lista över fyrar i Stockholms skärgård
Swedish Wikipedia's list of lighthouses of the Stockholm Archipelago; photos are available for many of them.
Lighthouses in Sweden
Aerial photos posted by Marinas.com.
Henning Jensen's Lighthouse Pages
Photos and comments for about 20 lighthouses, posted by an employee of the Maritime Administration who helps maintain the lighthouses.
Fyrar
Photos taken from the sea, posted by Bosse Arnholm.
Fyr Vi Har Passeret (Lighthouses We've Passed)
Photos of Baltic lighthouses taken by two Danish sailors, Jette and Ole.
Schwedische Leuchttürme auf historischen Postkarten
Historic postcard views posted by Klaus Huelse.


Landsorts Fyr, April 2009
Creative Commons photo by Dick Rochester
Sandhamn Area Lighthouses
Note: Located about 45 km (28 mi) east of Stockholm, Sandhamn is at the eastern end of the Stockholm Archipelago and the beginning of an approach to the city for vessels arriving from the south.
Yxhammarskobben (Yxhammarsklubben) (2)
Date unknown (station established 1882). Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); three flashes every 9 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 8 m (26 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with a red horizontal band. Arnholm has a closeup photo, there's a 2009 photo, another and more wintry photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a skerry off the northwestern end of Skarprunmarö, about 7 km (4.5 mi) west of Sandhamn. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-061; Admiralty C6495; NGA 9376.
* Sandhamn (Övre)
1870. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, 27.5 s on, 2.5 s off. 11 m (36 ft) square cylindrical wood tower rising from the center of a 1-1/2 story wood pilot house. Markus Källander has a good photo, Henrik Larsson also has a photo, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. This light was for many years the rear light of a range, but it has been converted to a general purpose directional light. Located on the waterfront of Sandhamn, a popular boating town on the north side of the island of Sandö. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: unknown. ARLHS SWE-056; Admiralty C6472.1; NGA 9084.
* Korsö (2)
1757. Inactive since 1882. 23 m (75 ft) round old-style stone tower with an octagonal stone "lantern" room and gallery. The tower is unpainted. A photo is at right, another photo is available, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. Lighted beacons are said to have been displayed at this site as early as 1746. hen the lighthouse was deactivated, its lantern and lens were transferred to Huvudskär. The present "lantern room" is actually a watchroom added when the militray took control of the tower in 1937. This historic lighthouse celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2007. Note: there is also a well-known Korsö lighthouse not far away in the Åland Islands of Finland. Located on the south side of the island of Korsö, about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) east of Sandhamn. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: unknown. ARLHS SWE-216; SV-2874.
Sandhamns Stångskär
1933. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, 2 s on, 2 s off. 7 m (23 ft) octagonal cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Tower painted yellow, lantern white. There is a wintry photo of this light on the back cover (last page) of the first 2003 issue of the SFA journal Blänket, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a skerry 1.6 km (1 mi) east of the eastern tip of Korsö. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-335; Admiralty C6468; NGA 9068.

Korsös Fyr, September 2007
anonymous Wikipedia Creative Commons photo
Grönskär
1770. Reactivated (inactive 1961-2000); focal plane 38 m (125 ft); green light, 4 s on, 16 s off. 26 m (85 ft) octagonal rubblestone tower with lantern and gallery. The tower is pyramidal granite at the base and cylindrical sandstone above; the lantern is placed off center at the top. The tower is unpainted stone, gray granite at the base and buff-colored sandstone above; lantern painted white. A keeper's house, barn, and other light station buildings are preserved. SFA has two closeup photos by J. Hopfinger, one showing a green light in the lantern. SFA also has a distant view of the station by E. Hillberg, Lars Olsson has a closeup and a more distant photo, Huelse has a historic snapshot photo, Wikipedia has a page with a historic photo, and Google has a good satellite view. This historic lighthouse was deactivated in 1961, when the Revengegrundet light was built farther out in the Baltic. In recent years a weak (mostly decorative) green light has been displayed. Located on a small island about 7 km (4.5 mi) east of Sandhamn. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: unknown. ARLHS SWE-157; SV-2866; Admiralty C6468.5 NGA 9070.
Svängen (Sandhamnssundet)
1973. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); quick-flashing light, white, red or green depending on direction. 15 m (49 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted with red and black horizontal bands. Lars Olsson has a fine closeup, and Lennart Staflin has a second photo. Note: there is another (and better known) Svangen Fyr in the Skagerrak in northern Bohuslän. Located on a shoal about 5 km (3 mi) east southeast of Sandhamn. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-385; Admiralty C6471.6; NGA 9064.
Horssten
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); four flashes every 12 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 4 m (13 ft) 1-story building; the light is shown through a slit-like window. Lighthouse painted with vertical red and white stripes. SFA has a photo by B. Aglid and a closeup by E. Hillberg, and Google has a satellite view. Located on an island about 12 km (7.5 mi) east of Sandhamn. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-385; Admiralty C6463.5; NGA 9076.

Huvudskär and Central Baltic Sea Lighthouses
Note: These lighthouses warn ships away from the Stockholm Archipelago, the chain of islands extending well out into the Baltic Sea southeast of Stockholm.
Revengegrundet
1961. Active; focal plane 20 m (66 ft); two very long (3 s) flashes every 18 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 30 m (98 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and two galleries. Lighthouse painted red with a black band below the lower gallery. SFA has a photo by B. Aglid, a 2009 photo and another photo are available, and Marinas.com has good aerial photos. Located on a shoal about 5 km (3 mi) south southeast of Sandhamn. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-321; SV-2863; Admiralty C6470; NGA 9060.
Almagrundet
1964. Active; focal plane 28 m (92 ft); three very long (3 s) flashes every 30 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 30 m (98 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with two galleries and a helipad on top. Lighthouse painted black with a broad red band near the top. SFA has a photo by J. Hopfinger and an aerial photo by R. Westerberg, Peter Sävje has a photo, another photo is available, and Marinas.com also has aerial photos. This lighthouse replaced a lightship station seen in Wikipedia's article. Located on a shoal far out in the Baltic, about 25 km (15 mi) east of Huvudskär and 16 km (10 mi) southeast of Sandhamn. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-002; SV-2855; Admiralty C6465; NGA 9056.
* Huvudskär (2)
1931 (station established 1882). Active; focal plane 26 m (85 ft); white light, 4 s on, 4 s off, 1 s on, 16 s off. 16 m (52 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white with one black horizontal band. Ullis Andersson's photo appears at right, Emmi West has a good photo, Jan Öhrström has a 2009 photo, SFA has a photo by E. Hillberg, and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse replaced a wood keeper's house with a lantern on the roof. Huvudskär is the largest of a group of islands that together form the southeasternmost extension of the Stockholm Archipelago. The island has cabins and campgrounds and is popular as a day trip destination, accessible by passenger ferry from Stockholm. Located at the highest point of the island. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-202; SV-3250; Admiralty C6576; NGA 9040.

Namdö Area (Namdöfjärden) Lighthouses
Franska Stenarna
Date unknown (station established 1916). Active; focal plane 5 m (17 ft); two flashes every 6 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 5 m (17 ft) octagonal lantern, mounted on a round concrete pier. Lantern painted green with a white roof; base painted white. Trabas has a photo, David Thyberg has a photo and a second photo on another site, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a skerry about 1.5 km (1 mi) southwest of Hölö. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C6666; NGA 9300.
Huvudskar Lighthouse
Huvudskärs Fyr, September 2006
Creative Commons photo by Ullis Andersson
Kofotsgrund
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 7 m (23 ft); very quick-flashing light, white, red or green depending on direction, interrupted once every 9 s. 8 m (26 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Tower painted green, lantern white. Wikipedia has a photo, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located on a shoal about 6 km (4.5 mi) east of Klacknäset and km (2.5 mi) northwest of Namdö. Admiralty C6662; NGA 9292.
Grönö (2)
Date unknown (station established 1895). Active; focal plane 7 m (23 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, 2 s on, 2 s off. 8 m (26 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white, lantern red with a white roof. A photo is at right, Kent Lindberg has a photo (misidentified as Kofotsgrund) a closeup photo is available, also another photo (halfway down the page), and Google has a satellite view. Located on a small island about 2 km (1.2 mi) southeast of Klacknäset and 4 km (2.5 mi) west of Namdö. Admiralty C6660; NGA 9288.
Östra Stendörren
Date unknown (station established 1882). Reactivated (inactive from around 2000 to 2007); focal plane 5 m (17 ft); three flashes every 9 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 4 m (13 ft) octagonal lantern mounted on a concrete pad. Lighthouse painted white with a red horizontal band. No photo available. Located on a skerry about 3 km (1.8 mi) southwest of Klacknäset. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C6652.
Fjärdhällan (2)
Date unknown (station established 1911). Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); flash every 3 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 7 m (23 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Tower painted black, lantern white. Lars Ericson has a closeup photo, another photo is available, Wikipedia has a distant view, and Google has a satellite view. SFA has a historic photo of the original light, an octagonal tower, taken in 1925. Located on a skerry about 5 km (3 mi) northeast of Ornö and 3 km (2 mi) southwest of Namdö. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. SV-3455; Admiralty C6658; NGA 9284.
Grönös Fyr
Grönös Fyr, August 2010
anonymous Wikipedia Creative Commons photo

Dalerö Area Lighthouses
Piltholmsknall
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 7 m (23 ft) (?); two flashes every 6 s, white, red or green depending on direction. Approx. 9 m (30 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted green with one white horizontal band. A photo is available (second lighthouse on the page), and Google has a distant satellite view of the location. Located on a shoal about 4 km (2.5 mi) east of Dalerö. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C6650; NGA 9262.
Genböte
Date unknown (station established 1930). Active; focal plane 24 m (78 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, 1.5 s on, 1.5 s off. 4 m (13 ft) lantern mounted on a concrete pad. Trabas has a photo, good photo shows the Genböte light above and behind the Dalarö light, and the lantern is centered in a Google satellite view. Located on a bluff opposite the Dalarö light. Access to the light seems to be by a staircase cut into the rock. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C6644; NGA 9256.
Dalarö
Date unknown (station established 1899). Active; focal plane 4 m (13 ft); three flashes every 9 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 5 m (17 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on a concrete pier. The tower is unpainted; lantern painted white with a red horizontal band. An excellent photo is available, Trabas has a photo, another photo shows the Genböte light in the background, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a shoal at the entrance to the harbor of Dalarö, a resort town on the mainland about 20 km (13 mi) southeast of Stockholm. Accessible only by boat, but there should be good views from shore. Site open, tower closed. SV-3445(?); Admiralty C6646; NGA 9268.
* Dalarö Skans (Övre)
Date unknown. Inactive. 5 m (17 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. Henrik Larsson's photo is at right, SFA has a photo by D. Eriksson, and Google has a satellite view. Wikipedia has a 1950 photo. The lighthouse stands next to a 17th century stone fortification known as Dalarö Skans; the buildings have been renovated as a restaurant. The light was formerly the rear light of a range, probably with the Dalarö light (see above) as the front light. Located on a small island off the Dalarö waterfront. Site open; obviously visitors can climb on the gallery. Site manager: Dalarö Skans. SV-3445.1.

Dalerö Skans, June 2005
Creative Commons photo by Henrik Larsson

Nynäshamn Area Lighthouses
Långgarn
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 6 m (20 ft); three flashes every 9 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 7 m (23 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white with an orange band under the gallery. Trabas has a photo, SFA has a photo by D. Eriksson, a winter photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a reef off the eastern tip of a rocky island about 6 km (3.5 mi) west of Ornö. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. SV-3400; Admiralty C6623; NGA 9204.
Mysingeholm
1954. Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, 2 s on, 2 s off. 6.5 m (21 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. NGA describes the lighthouse as white with a red top, but a distant 2003 photo appears to show it white with a narrow black or red horizontal band. Google has a satellite view. Located on the western point of an island about 3 km (2 mi) southeast of Hyttan. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C6619; NGA 9196.
Älvsnabben (Svartudden)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 7 m (23 ft); quick-flashing light, white, red or green depending on direction. 5 m (17 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white with a broad red horizontal band around the lantern. A good photo is available, Wikipedia has Björn Persson's closeup photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the southern tip of Kapellön, an island off the southeast side of the larger island of Älvsnabben and about 2 km (1.2 mi) southeast of Muskö. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C6618.4; NGA 9192.
Örngrund
1978. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); quick-flashing light, white, red or green depending on direction. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and two galleries. Lighthouse painted with red and black horizontal bands. Dick Rochester's photo is at right, and Mikeal Egdahl has a photo of the lighthouse in silhouette, but Wikipedia's satellite view does not show the lighthouse. Located on a shoal about 5 km (3 mi) east of Nynäshamn. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-303; Admiralty C6598; NGA 9184.
* Brunviksholmen
1920. Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); two flashes every 6 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 6 m (20 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white with an orange band under the gallery. A good photo is available, SFA has a closeup photo by D. Eriksson, Trabas has a partially-obscured view, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the north side of the entrance to Nynäshamn harbor. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-109; SV-3360; Admiralty C6614; NGA 9180.
Skrapan
1932. Active; focal plane 12.5 m (41 ft); three flashes every 9 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted with black and white horizontal bands. SFA has a photo by B. Aglid, another photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a small island about 6 km (3.5 mi) east of Öja and 8 km (5 mi) south of Nynäshamn. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-350; SV-3305; Admiralty C6588; NGA 9140.

Örngrunds Fyr, July 2008
Creative Commons photo by Dick Rochester
* Måsknuv (2)
1937 (station established 1868). Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, 1 s on, 1 s off, 3 s on, 3 s off. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white. Nearby is a square wood fog bell tower built in 1900. Tore Jacobsson has a closeup photo, Pawel Sidio has a good photo that also shows the bell tower, a 2009 view is available, and Google has a satellite view. Måstnuv is a small island just west of the larger island of Mälsten. Located at the western tip of the island, about 5 km (3 mi) southeast of Nynäshamn. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-278; Admiralty C6596; NGA 9152.

Landsort Area Lighthouses
**** Landsort (2)
1687 (upper section added in 1870; station established 1651). Active; focal plane 44 m (144 ft); five flashes every 60 s (a single flash followed 22 s later by four flashes); also a continuous passing light, white, red or green depending on direction, is shown at a focal plane of 27 m (89 ft). 25 m (82 ft) round two-stage tower, lower stage stone cylindrical, upper stage cast iron conical, with lantern and gallery. Stone tower painted white, cast iron painted red; lantern dome is greenish metallic. A 3rd order Fresnel lens is in use; presumably it replaced a 2nd order lens that was transferred to the Storjungfrun lighthouse in southern Bothnia in 1938. Several keeper's houses are available for overnight accommodations. Dick Rochester's photo appears at the top of this page, Rainer Heinrichs has a 2008 photo, an April 2007 photo is available, SFA has a photo by B. Aglid, Huelse has a historic postcard view., and Google has a satellite view. This is Sweden's oldest light station; lights are said to have displayed here as early as the 13th century. Landsort is the southern tip of Öja, a narrow island about 2.2 km (1.4 mi) long aligned north to south so that it commands the approaches to Nynäshamn and Stockholm. Open fires were displayed until the first lantern was installed in 1840. In 1870, the conical extension and a modern lantern and Fresnel lens were added. The pilot station for Stockholm is located nearby. The island is accessible by passenger ferry from Nynäshamn. Located at the southern tip of Öja. Site open, tower open daily during the summer season. ARLHS SWE-039; SV-3275; Admiralty C6584; NGA 9012.
Landsort Bredgrund
1973. Active; focal plane 19 m (62 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, 2 s on, 2 s off. 20 m (66 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and two galleries, mounted on a round concrete pier. Lighthouse painted red. A photo and another photo are available, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a shoal about 1.2 km (3/4 mi) southeast of the Landsort lighthouse. Accessible only by boat, but there is a good view from Landsort Fyr. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-231; Admiralty C6583.6; NGA 9008.

Torö Area Lighthouses
Tilljandersknallt
1979. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); two long (2 s) flashes every 12 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 14 m (46 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted black with one white horizontal band; lantern roof painted green. No photo available. Located on a shoal about 3 km (2 mi) south of Torö and 2 km (1.25 mi) west of Öja. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-391; Admiralty C6585; NGA 9016.
Kolguskär
Date unknown (station established 1928). Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); two flashes every 6 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 4 m (13 ft) round lantern, painted white with a green roof. A closeup photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the southwestern side of Kolguskär, an island just off the southwestern tip of Torö. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C6575.8; NGA 8900.
Västra Röko
1940. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); quick-flashing light, white, red or green depending on direction. 8.5 m (28 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white with a black band around the base. A photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a skerry about 400 m (1/4 mi) northeast of the Rökogrundet lighthouse. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C6675.6; NGA 8888.
Rökogrundet
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, occulting twice every 12 s. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Tower painted black with a white horizontal band; lantern painted green. A photo is available, a second photo shows the Västra Röko lighthouse in the background, and Google has a satellite view. Located about 1200 m (3/4 mi) southwest of the southwestern tip of Torö and 4 km (2.5 mi) east of the southeastern tip of Askö. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C6675.4; NGA 8892.
Vattklubben
Date unknown (station established 1928). Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, 3 s on, 3 s off. 6 m (20 ft) 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with a narrow green horizontal band around the lantern. Jonas Karlsson has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on Stora Vattklubben, a small island about 2 km (1.2 mi) northeast of the eastern tip of Askö. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C6675.3; NGA 8904.
Fifång (Fifong)
1928 (?). Active; focal plane 7 m (23 ft); three flashes every 9 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 5 m (17 ft) octagonal lantern, mounted on an octagonal concrete base. Lantern painted white with a narrow red horizontal band. Lars Johnson has a 1977 photo; at that time the lantern was all white. (It is possible the lantern has been replaced in recent years.) Google has a satellite view. Located on a skerry about 4 km (2.5 mi) northeast of the eastern tip of Askö. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C6675.8; NGA 8952.

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

Adjoining pages: North: Stockholm Area | South: Nyköping Area

Return to the Lighthouse Directory index | Ratings key

Posted July 16, 2007. Checked and revised August 21, 2011. Lighthouses: 34. Site copyright 2011 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.