Lighthouses of Denmark: Jylland's East Coast

Denmark, located at the mouth of the Baltic Sea, includes the north-pointing peninsula of Jylland (Jutland) in the west and a large number of islands to the east. The capital, Copenhagen, is on the island of Sjælland. Other major Danish islands include Fyn (between Sjælland and Jylland), Lolland and Falster (south of Sjælland) and Bornholm (farther east in the Baltic). The Skaggerak is a sound separating Jylland from Norway to the northwest, while the Kattegat separates Jylland from Sweden to the northeast. This page covers lighthouses of the east coast of Jylland. The northern half of this coast faces the broad waters of the Kattegat. The southern half faces the series of narrow channels known as the Lille Bælt that separate Jylland from Fyn. For many years Denmark and Germany struggled over the control of Schleswig-Holstein, the region at the base of the Jylland peninsula. Danish Slesvig or Sønderjylland (South Jylland) was under German control from 1864 until 1920. As a result, many lighthouses on the east side of Jylland, from Årosund southward, are of German origin. The German names for these lighthouses, if known, are in curly brackets {}. The Danish word for a lighthouse is fyr. The front light of a range is the forfyr and the rear light is the bagfyr. Aids to navigation in Denmark are maintained by the Royal Danish Administration of Navigation and Hydrography (RDANH). ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. 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 Visit our Lighthouses RDANH site with English-language information on the 12 Danish lighthouses open to the public. Danske Fyrtårne A comprehensive site on Danish lighthouses, with many photos; the text is entirely in Danish. Online List of Lights - Denmark East and Flensburger Förde Photos of active aids to navigation, including lighthouses and minor aids, maintained by Alex Trabas. Leuchttürme.net - Dänemark A fine web site by Malte Werning, with excellent photos. Leuchtturmseiten von Anke und Jens - Denmark Photos of more than 100 Danish lighthouses, with notes in English. Dänische Leuchttürme Photos of more than 175 Danish lighthouses posted by Klaus Huelse. Lighthouses in Denmark Aerial photos posted by Marinas.com. Indholdsfortegnelse History of the Danish lighthouse service, with photos of selected lighthouses, posted by the Danish Environment and Energy Ministry (Miljø & Energi Ministeriet). Dänische Leuchttürme auf historischen Postkarten Historic postcard views posted by Klaus Huelse. Danske Fyrskibe Comprehensive information on Danish lightships (in Danish), posted by the group managing the Horns-Rev.

1858 Skagen Fyr, November 2007 Creative Commons photo by John Nuttall

Lighthouses of the Kattegat

Skagen and Frederikshavn Lighthouses

* Skagen Vest (Skagen West) 1956. Active; focal plane 31 m (102 ft); three white flashes every 10 s, white or red depending on direction (red flashes are seen by westbound ships sailing too close to shore). 25 m (82 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white; lantern roof is green metallic. Werning has a page for the lighthouse, Trabas also has a good photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. This light replaced the former Højen lighthouse (1892); that light, located 2.5 km (1.5 mi) to the west, was about to be destroyed by beach erosion. Located at the northernmost point of Jylland, about 2.8 km (1.75 mi) northwest of the main Skagen lighthouse. Accessible by hiking from the main light. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS DEN-041; Admiralty C0001; NGA 1520. **** Skagen (2) 1858 (station established 1747). Active; focal plane 44 m (144 ft); white flash every 4 s. 46 m (151 ft) round brick tower with lantern and gallery, attached by a covered passageway to a large 2-story keeper's house. The lighthouse is unpainted; lantern dome is gray metallic; keeper's house and other buildings painted bright yellow. John Nuttalls's photo is above, Werning has a fine page for this lighthouse, Trabas has an excellent photo, Birgit Damgaard has a 2007 photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. Marking the entrance to the Baltic Sea, this is probably Denmark's best known lighthouse. When it was built, it was about equally distant from the Kattegat to the southeast and the Skagerrak to the northwest. However, the land has shifted steadily northwestward over the past 150 years, and the lighthouse is now perilously close to the Kattegat, as can be seen in Anke and Jens's photos. A series of groins has been built to slow the erosion. Located on the northeast side of the town of Skagen. Site open; tower open Monday through Friday from early April through the end of August and on a variable schedule the rest of the year (inquire locally). ARLHS DEN-040; Admiralty C0002; NGA 1524.

Skagen Vestfyr, May 2003 photo copyright Malte Werning; used by permission

* Skagen (1)

1747. Inactive since 1858. 21 m (69 ft) octagonal brick tower with gallery; lantern removed. Lighthouse painted white, gallery black. This historic lighthouse appears to be very well preserved. Tara Whitsitt has a good photo, Werning also has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Huelse has a historic postcard image in which the tower has a pyramidal roof and a signal mast. Located at the intersection of the Fyvej and the Batterivej on the northeast side of the town of Skagen, about 1.6 km (1 mi) southwest of the 1858 lighthouse. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS DEN-039.

Skagen Østmole (East Breakwater)

1970 (relocated 1918 lighthouse?). Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); green flash every 3 s. 7 m (23 ft) round tower with lantern and gallery, painted green. Trabas has a great photo in which the lighthouse appears freshly painted in a particularly brilliant green, and Google has a satellite view. Huelse has an interesting postcard image of similar Skagen Mole lighthouses, but these were located at the ends of the present inner breakwaters, which now have no lights. It is likely that these earlier lighthouses were relocated to the new outer breakwaters in 1970. Located at the end of the east outer breakwater of Skagen. Accessible only by boat (the mole is not walkable). Site and tower closed. Admiralty C0004.4; NGA 1540.

Skagen Vestmole (West Breakwater)

1970 (relocated 1918 lighthouse?). Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); red flash every 3 s. 7 m (23 ft) round tower with lantern and gallery, painted red. Trabas has a great photo in which the lighthouse appears freshly painted in a particularly brilliant red, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the west outer breakwater of Skagen. Accessible only by boat (the mole is not walkable). Site and tower closed. Admiralty C0004.2; NGA 1536.

* Frederikshavn Nordmole (Northeast Breakwater)

1892. Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); white or green light, depending on direction, 1 s on, 1 s off. 7 m (23 ft) round tower with lantern and gallery, painted green. Trabas also has a good photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the north outer breakwater mole of Frederikshavn. Accessible by walking the mole. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C0028; NGA 1608.

* Frederikshavn Forfyr (Range Front, South Breakwater)

1892. Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); red light, 1 s on, 1 s off. 7 m (23 ft) round tower with lantern and gallery, painted red. Werning has a good photo, Trabas also has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. The rear light is on a skeletal tower at the end of the south inner mole. Located at the end of the south outer breakwater mole of Frederikshavn. This mole is not walkable. Site and tower closed. Admiralty C0030; NGA 1600.

Hirsholm Lighthouses
Note: Hirsholm is a small island in the Kattegat about 7 km (4.5 mi) northeast of Frederikshavn. There is one small village on the island; the rest of the land is set aside as a nature preserve to protect nesting seabirds. Hirsholm is a popular stop for yachts crusing the Baltic, and transportation is available from Frederikshavn on the mail boat, three times a week.
* Hirsholm (Hirtsholm) (1)

1838. Inactive since 1886. 10 m (33 ft) square cylindical brick tower with lantern, attached to one end of a 1-1/2 story keeper's house. Lighthouse painted yellow with white trim, lantern black with a red roof. The lantern does not appear to be original. It is not known how this historic building is used. Located adjacent to the active lighthouse. Site open, tower closed.

* Hirsholm (Hirtsholm) (2)

1886 (station established 1838). Active; focal plane 30 m (98 ft); three white flashes every 30 s. 27 m (89 ft) round granite tower with lantern and gallery. The lighthouse is unpainted, except the lantern dome is painted red. Trabas has an excellent closeup photo by Klaus Kern, Franco Coluzzi has a 2007 photo, Huelse has a historic postcard view of both lighthouses, and Google has a satellite view. Located in the village of Hirsholm, at the highest point of the island. Site open; tower generally closed but there are guided tours from Frederikshavn several times each year. ARLHS DEN-067; Admiralty C0020; NGA 1584.

Læsø Area Lighthouses Note: Læsø is one of the two largest islands of the Kattegat, located about 19 km (12 mi) east of the mainland south of Frederikshavn. The island has a permanent population of about 2000 and is a popular tourist destination, especially in the summer. Ferry transportation is available from Frederikshavn. Nordre Rønner 1880. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); white flash every 15 s. 18 m (56 ft) round granite tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story masonry keeper's house. The lighthouse is unpainted; lantern painted red. Several additional light station buildings survive at the station. Frank Stjerne's photo is at right, Huelse has a photo and a historic postcard view, ARLHS has a historic photo, and Google has a good satellite view. The station buildings are the only structures on Spirholm, a small, sandy island in the Kattegat about 6 km (3.5 mi) north of Vesterø Havn, Læsø. Accessible only by boat; there is a distant view from ferries between Frederikshavn and Vesterø Havn. Site status unknown. ARLHS DEN-030; Admiralty C0044; NGA 1648. Læsø Rende 1965. Active; focal plane 25 m (82 ft); two long (2 s) flashes every 20 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 26 m (85 ft) round cylindrical tower with lantern, mounted on a circular concrete caisson. A square helipad is mounted above the lantern. Tower painted white, helipad structure painted red. Huelse has a photo, and Trabas has a very distant view. The lighthouse replaced a lightship station established in 1887. The Læsø Rende is the channel between Læsø and the mainland. Located about 7 km (4.5 mi) east of the mainland and 11 km (7 mi) west of the western point of Læsø. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS DEN-021; Admiralty C0061; NGA 1696.

Nordre Rønner Fyr, July 2005 Creative Commons photo by Frank Stjerne

Hals Area Lighthouses
Note: These lights mark the eastern entrance of the Limfjord waterway, which crosses northern Jylland. Other lighthouses of the Limfjord are listed on the Denmark's West Coast page.

Hals Barre 1912. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); white flash every 10 s; also a passing light, white, red or green depending on direction, 1 s on, 1 s off. 15 m (49 ft) square cast iron tower with lantern and gallery, painted with red and white horizontal bands and mounted on a circular stone pier. Thomas Hillebrand's photo is at right, Huelse has a photo and a historic postcard view, and ARLHS also has a photo. Located in the Kattegat about 7 km (4.5 mi) east of Hals and the Limfjord entrance. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS DEN-021; Admiralty C0066; NGA 1744. * Hals Ost Forfyr Date unknown (station established 1849). Active; focal plane 4 m (13 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, occulting once every 5 s. 4 m (13 ft) semicircular building; the light is shown through a rectangular window. Lighthouse painted white with one red horizontal band. Trabas has a closeup photo, and Google has a satellite view. The rear light is mounted on a mast 177 m (580 ft) northwest. Located on the west breakwater at Hals, on the north side of the Limfjord entrance. Accessible by walking the pier. ARLHS DEN-193; Admiralty C0076; NGA 1768. Korsholm (Egense) Forfyr Nord 1895. Active; focal plane 5 m (17 ft); green light, 1 s on, 1 s off (synchronized with the Forfyr Syd and also with the rear light); also a red flash every 3 s. 6 m (20 ft) octagonal cylindrical stone tower with a cast iron lantern, mounted on the same stone pier as the Forfyr Syd; the two lights are only 9 m (30 ft) apart. Tower unpainted; lantern painted red. Trabas has a photo. The Korsholm lights guide ships into the Limfjord entrance. The common rear light for the two Forfyrs is on a skeletal tower onshore 2 km (1.2 mi) to the west. Located about 1.6 km (1 mi) east of Egense, on the south side of the entrance, and a similar distance south of Hals, on the north side. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Admiralty C0072; NGA 1760. Korsholm (Egense) Forfyr Syd 1895. Active; focal plane 5 m (17 ft); red light, 1 s on, 1 s off (synchronized with the Forfyr Nord and also with the rear light). 6 m (20 ft) octagonal cylindrical stone tower with a cast iron lantern, mounted on the same stone pier as the Forfyr Nord; the two lights are only 9 m (30 ft) apart. Tower unpainted; lantern painted red. Trabas has a photo. The Korsholm lights guide ships into the Limfjord entrance. The common rear light for the two Forfyrs is on a skeletal tower onshore 2 km (1.2 mi) to the west. Located about 1.6 km (1 mi) east of Egense, on the south side of the entrance, and a similar distance south of Hals, on the north side. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Admiralty C0072.1; NGA 1764.

Hals Barre Fyr photo copyright Thomas Hillebrand MarinaMap.com; used by permission

Mariager Fjord Lighthouse
* Thyborøn Bagfyr (relocated to Kongsdal)

1908. Inactive (as far as we know). Approx. 15 m (49 ft) round cast iron tower with lantern and gallery, painted with red and white horizontal bands. Huelse has an excellent photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse was formerly the rear light of the Thyborøn Range, at the western entrance to the Limfjord (see above). It has been relocated to Kongsdal Havn, where it stands in a parking lot at the Kongsdal Marina. Located on the south side of the Mariager Fjord about 1 km (0.6 mi) northeast of Assens. Site open, tower closed.

Fornæs Area Lighthouses
Udbyhøj (1)

1894. Inactive since around 2002. 6 m (20 ft) 1-1/2 story keeper's house; the light was displayed from a "bay window" lantern on the second floor level. House painted white, lantern roof red. Huelse also has a photo. Site and tower closed (private property). ARLHS DEN-088.

Udbyhoj (2)

Date unknown (around 2002?) (station established 1894). Active; focal plane 33 m (108 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, occulting once every 5 s. 4.5 m (15 ft) round cylindrical tower; the light is shown through a slit-style window at the top. The upper half of the tower is painted red, the lower half white. Trabas has a photo. In Google's satellite view, it appears that the light is obscured or nearly so by surrounding trees. This directional light guides ships approaching the entrance to the Randers Fjord. Located adjacent to the historic lighthouse, at the end of a lnæ off highway 531, about 800 m (1/2 mi) south of Udbyhoj. Site and tower closed (private property). Admiralty C0176; NGA 1936.

* Gjerrild (2)

1946 (station established 1919). Active; focal plane 27 m (89 ft); four flashes every 20 s, white or green depending on direction. 11 m (36 ft) rectangular cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. Trabas has a good photo, and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse guides southbound ships around the end of the Djurs peninsula at the southern end of the Kattegat. Located on the Teglværksvej, on the east side of Nordstrand, near Gjerrild. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS DEN-089; Admiralty C0200; NGA 2008.

* Fornæs

1839. Active; focal plane 32 m (105 ft); white flash every 20 s. 27 m (89 ft) round granite tower with lantern and gallery. The tower is unpainted; lantern painted red. 1-1/2 story keeper's house and other light station buildings. Trabas has an excellent photo by Klaus Kern, Marinas.com has aerial photos, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. This seems to be one of the least well known major lighthouses of Denmark. Fornæs is the easternmost point of Jylland, at the end of the Djurs peninsula. Located on the point of the cape, at the end of the Fornæsvej, about 4 km (2.5 mi) northeast of the Grenå waterfront. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS DEN-008; Admiralty C0204; NGA 2012.

* Grenå Mole

1907. Inactive. Approx. 8 m (26 ft) round cylindrical tower, painted white with two red horizontal bands. The light was shown through a window at the top of the tower. Huelse has a photo. Located on the waterfront of Grenå. Site open, tower closed.

Anholt and Western Kattegat Lighthouses
Note: Anholt is a small island in the center of the Kattegat, roughly halfway between the Danish and Swedish shores. Due to its strategic location it has often been the object of military action; during the Napoleonic Wars it was occupied by Britain from 1808 to 1814. The island has a permanent population of about 160 and is accessible by passenger ferry from Grenå.
* Anholt

1788. Active; focal plane 40 m (131 ft); white flash every 15 s. 42 m (138 ft) round cylindrical masonry tower with lantern and gallery. Tower painted white; watch room and lantern base painted red; lantern dome is black. Huelse has a good photo, Trabas has a photo by Karl-Heinz Wellm, a sunset photo is available, and Huelse has a historic postcard view. This historic lighthouse guides ships approaching the Sound and entering the Baltic. Unfortunately, it is probably endangered: a Google satellite view shows that it is almost in the water. Located at the eastern end of the island, a desert region known for its unusual plant and animal life. Access to this ecologically sensitive area is restricted, but it appears that tours to the lighthouse are available. Site open with restrictions, tower closed. ARLHS DEN-068; Admiralty C0164; NGA 1976.

* Anholt Havn

1903. Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, 2 s on, 2 s off. 8 m (26 ft) round cast iron tower with lantern and gallery, painted red. Theo Wasserhess has a sunset closeup photo, Kristine Riskær has a distant view, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the north outer breakwater at Anholt Havn. Accessible by walking the pier, and there are good views from the waterfront or from ferries arriving from Grenå. Site and tower closed. Admiralty C0166; NGA 1980.

Svitringen Rende Syd

1983 (?). Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); white flash every 3 s. 13 m (43 ft) post with lantern and gallery, centered on an octagonal equipment sheter and mounted on an octagonal concrete pier. The light also marks a pilot station, where pilot boats wait for arriving ships. Huelse has a photo. Located in the Ålborg Bugt (Ålborg Bay) about 25 km (15 mi) east southeast of Hals. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C0066.8; NGA 1724.

Ebeltoft and Århus Area Lighthouses

Hjelm

1856. Active; focal plane 61 m (200 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, 4 s on, 4 s off. 18 m (59 ft) round brick tower with lantern and gallery, attached by covered passageways to two 1-1/2 story brick keeper's houses. Lighthouse painted white, lantern dome red. Huelse has a closeup photo and a historic postcard view, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. Hjelm is an uninhabited island in the southwestern Kattegat about 5 km (3 mi) southeast of Elsegårde and 10 km (6 mi) southeast of Ebeltoft. The word hjelm means helmet, referring to the shape of the island. Located at the highest point of the island. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS DEN-070; Admiralty C0262; NGA 2208.

** Fyrskib 21 Skagens Rev

1911 (Rasmus Møllers Værft, Fåborg). Decommissioned 1988. 33.6 m (110 ft) wood lightship; the light was displayed from a lantern atop the mainmast. Hull painted a deep red with a white horizontal band; deckhouse and mast painted white, lantern deep red. A March 2005 photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Before World War II the ship served mostly on the Horns Rev station. From 1945 to 1969 it was stationed off Læso, and its last station was at Skagens Rev. It was the last Danish lightship withdrawn from its station, on December 12, 1988. In 2006 the ship was moored at Ebeltoft and in use as a café; in 2007 overnight accommodations were to be available on the ship. Moored on the Ebeltoft waterfront. Site open; ship probably open but we need details. Owner/site manager: Fregatten Jylland. ARLHS DEN-009.

* Ebeltoft Vig 1921 (?) (station established 1883). Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, occulting once every 5 s. 6 m (20 ft) square wood tower; the lights are displayed through a square window. Trabas has a photo by Klasu Kern, and Huelse also has a photo. Tower painted white with one narrow red horizontal band; the roof is gray. Located on a low hill in Lyngsbæk Strand, at the north end of Ebeltoft Vig (bay) about 7 km (4.5 mi) west of Ebeltoft. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS DEN-005; Admiralty C0772; NGA 2220. *** Sletterhage 1872. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, 7.5 s on, 2.5 s off. 16 m (52 ft) round cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story keeper's house. Lighthouse painted white, lantern white with red horizontal bands. Shane Forster's photo is at right, Huelse has a good closeup photo and a historic postcard view, Trabas has a photo by Klaus Kern, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. The lighthouse marks the end of the Helgenæs peninsula about 20 km (13 mi) east of Århus. The word hage means "hook." Located on the point of the cape in Slettervang. Site open; the Anke/Jens site reports that the tower is open in the summer, although this light is not on the RDANH list of lighthouses open to the public. ARLHS DEN-043; Admiralty C0786; NGA 2252. Århus Vestmole 1935. Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); green flash every 5 s. 6 m (20 ft) round cylindrical cast iron tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with a broad green horizontal band. Trabas has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the west mole enclosing the traditional inner harbor of Århus. Site and tower closed. ARLHS DEN-092; Admiralty C0793; NGA 2282. Århus Østmole 1935. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); red flash every 5 s. 8 m (26 ft) round cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with a single red horizontal band, mounted atop a round stone pier. Trabas has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located off the end of the east mole enclosing the traditional inner harbor of Århus. Site and tower closed. ARLHS DEN-091; Admiralty C0792; NGA 2280.

Sletterhage Fyr, September 2005 Creative Commons photo by Shane Forster

* Hov Havn

1900. Active; focal plane 5 m (17 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, occulting twice every 12 s. 5 m (17 ft) round cylindrical cast iron tower, painted white with one red horizontal band. The lights are displayed through slit-style window at the top of the tower. Huelse has a photo. Note: there is a better known Hov Fyr on Langeland; see the Fyn and Langeland page. Located on the north mole of Hov, not at the end but near an elbow of the mole. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS DEN-093; Admiralty C0830; NGA 2308.

Tunø and Samsø Lighthouses
Note: Samsø, one of the two largest islands of the Kattegat, is located about 25 km (15 mi) southeast of Århus. The island is about 15 km (9 mi) in length and has a permanent population of about 4000. It is accessible by ferries from Hov on the mainland south of Århus and from Kalundborg on Sjælland. Tunø is a much smaller island located between the mainland and the northern part of Samsø; it has a permanent population of about 120 and is accessible by passenger ferry from Hov.

** Tunø 1801. Active; focal plane 31 m (102 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, occulting once every 5 s. 18 m (59 ft) square cylindrical church tower with lantern and gallery. Church and tower painted white, lantern and gallery rail painted green. Huelse has a good photo of the building, Trabas has a closeup of the lantern, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. The church caretaker doubles as keeper of the lighthouse and provides guided tours by arrangement, as his time allows. Located in the village of Tunø, at the eastern end of the island. Site open; tower open for an hour each morning late June through mid August and at other times by arrangement with the keeper. ARLHS DEN-071; Admiralty C0822; NGA 2300. *** Vesborg 1858. Active; focal plane 36 m (118 ft); white light, with two 2 s occultations every 12 s. 19 m (62 ft) round masonry tower with lantern and gallery, connected by a covered passageway to a 1-1/2 story brick keeper's house. Lighthouse painted white; lantern dome painted red. Søs Nygaard's photo is at right, Huelse has a good photo, and Google has a satellite view. The keeper's house is available for weekly vacation rentals. Located at Vesborg, near the southwestern corner of Samsø, about 2 km (1.2 mi) south of Kolby. Accessible by road. Site open, tower open April to October. ARLHS DEN-046; Admiralty C0842; NGA 2340.

Vesborg Fyr, July 2006 Creative Commons photo by Søs Nygaard

Horsens Fjord Lighthouses
* Hjarnø Forfyr

1902. Active; focal plane 6 m (20 ft); continuous green light. 6 m (20 ft) square cylindrical wood tower; the light is mounted on the outside of the tower near the top. Lighthouse painted white; there are three groups of three vertical red bars on the seaward face. Trabas has Huelse's photo. The range guides ships into the Horsens Fjord. Located on the northwest side of the island of Hjarnø, which lies in the south side of the entrance to the fjord. The island is accessible by ferry from Snaptun. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS DEN-167; Admiralty C0860; NGA 2376.

* Haldrup Forfyr

1902. Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); continuous red light. 8 m (26 ft) square cylindrical 3-story wood tower; the light is shown through a square window on the top floor. Lighthouse painted white; there are three groups of three vertical red bars on the seaward face. Trabas has a photo, Huelse also has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. The range guides ships into the Horsens Fjord. Located in a farm field about 1.25 km (3/4 mi) southeast of the village of Haldrup, on the north side of the fjord. The island is accessible by ferry from Snaptun. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS DEN-094; Admiralty C0866; NGA 2384.

* Haldrup Bagfyr

1902. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); continuous red light. 10 m (33 ft) square cylindrical 3-story wood tower; the light is shown through a square window on the top floor. Lighthouse painted white; there are three groups of three vertical red bars on the seaward face. Trabas has a photo, Huelse also has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located in a farm field about 700 m (0.4 mi) southeast of Haldrup, on the north side of the fjord, 600 m (3/8 mi) northwest of the front light. The island is accessible by ferry from Snaptun. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS DEN-093; Admiralty C0866.1; NGA 2388.

* Sejet Forfyr

1902. Active; focal plane 3 m (10 ft); continuous green light. 3.5 m (11 ft) square wood building; the light is shown through a window. Lighthouse painted white; there are two vertical red bars on the seaward face. Trabas has a photo, and Huelse also has a photo. Located on the south side of the fjord 2 km (1.2 mi) northeast of Sejet. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS DEN-168; Admiralty C0870; NGA 2392.

* Sejet Bagfyr

1902. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); continuous green light. 5 m (17 ft) square wood building; the light is shown through a window. Lighthouse painted white; there are three vertical red bars on the seaward face. Trabas has a photo, and Huelse also has a photo. Located beside a road 410 m (1350 ft) southwest of the front light. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS DEN-169; Admiralty C0870.1; NGA 2396.

Velje Fjord Lighthouses
* Træskohage

1910. Inactive since 1982. 16 m (52 ft) 2-stage round cylindrical tower with lantern and double gallery. Lighthouse painted white; lantern dome painted red. Huelse has a photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. The upper stage was added sometime after 1920. Located on a point of and on the north side of the Velje Fjord about 1.6 km (1 mi) west of Fakkegrav. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS DEN-096; Admiralty C0898.

Trelde Næs

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 26 m (85 ft); white, red or green light depending on direction, 1 s on, 1 s off. 21 m (69 ft) square skeletal tower with gallery, painted white. Trabas has a closeup photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a sharp promontory at the south side of the entrance to Velje Fjord. Site status unknown (the site appears to be private property). ARLHS DEN-097; Admiralty C0894; NGA 2460.

Lighthouses of the Lille Bælt

Note: The Lille Bælt is the sound separating the island of Fyn from the mainland; it connects to the Kattegat at the north and to Germany's Kiel Bay (Kieler Bucht) at the south.
Snoghøj Area Lighthouses
* Snoghøj (2)

1946 (station established 1900). Active; focal plane 6 m (20 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, occulting once every 5 s. 4 m (13 ft) square brick building, painted white with a red horizontal bar on the seaward side. The light is displayed through a rectangular window. Huelse has a photo, and Trabas has a similar photo. This light guides ships northbound in the Lille Bælt approaching the narrows at Snoghøj, where two bridges connect Fyn to the mainland. Located near the shore in a residential neighborhood on the west side of Snoghøj. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS DEN-098; Admiralty C0936; NGA 2540.

* Børup Nord

1945 (there was an earlier Børup Range, active 1900-1935). Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, 2 s on, 2 s off. 7 m (23 ft) 2-story masonry keeper's house; the lights are displayed through a rectangular second floor window at the east end of the house. House painted white with a red tile roof; there is also a red horizontal bar under the window displaying the light. Trabas has a photo. Northbound ships follow the line of this light and then turn to starboard to follow the line of the Snoghøj light. Located near the shore about 1.8 km (1.1 mi) west of Snoghøj. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS DEN-211; Admiralty C0934; NGA 2544.

* Børup Vest

1946. Active; focal plane 5 m (16 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, 2 s on, 2 s off. 6 m (20 ft) square 2-story tower; the lights are displayed through a rectangular second floor window. Lighthouse painted white with a red horizontal bar under the window displaying the light. Trabas has a photo. This light and the next guide southbound ships as they pass under the older Lille Bælt bridge at Snoghøj. Located on the shore about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) west of Snoghøj. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS DEN-212; Admiralty C0938; NGA 2548.

* Damgård

1946. Active; focal plane 7 m (23 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, occulting once every 5 s. 7 m (23 ft) square 2-story tower; the lights are displayed through a rectangular second floor window. Lighthouse painted white with a red horizontal bar under the window displaying the light. A 1-1/2 story keeper's house, painted yellow with a brown tile roof, stands adjacent to the lighthouse. Huelse has a photo. This light and the previous one guide southbound ships as they pass under the older Lille Bælt bridge at Snoghøj. Located about 100 m (330 ft) north of the Børup Vest light. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS DEN-166; Admiralty C0944; NGA 2552.

* Drejensodde

Date unknown (station established 1900). Active; focal plane 4 m (14 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, occulting once every 5 s. 4 m (13 ft) square wood building, painted green with white trim. The lights are displayed thorugh a small window. Trabas has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. This directional light guides ships approaching the harbor of Kolding, on the west side of the Lille Bælt. Located on a point of land at the end of the Drejensvej, about 6 km (3.5 mi) east of Kolding on the north side of the entrance to Kolding Fjord. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS DEN-099; Admiralty C0956; NGA 2572.

Årosund Area Lighthouses * Årøsund (3) 1905 (German) (station established 1777). Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, occulting once every 5 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical cast iron tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white; lantern roof painted green. A photo is at right, Werning has a page for the lighthouse, Trabas also has a good photo, and Huelse has a historic postcard view. One of a series of small cast iron towers prefabricated by the German firm Pintsch in Fürstenwalde. Located on the south mole at Årøsund. Accessible by walking the mole. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS DEN-100; Admiralty C0970; NGA 2620. * Årø {Aarö} 1905 (German). Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, 1 s on, 1 s off. 13 m (43 ft) round cylindrical cast iron tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white with a single red horizontal band; lantern roof painted green. Trabas also has a good photo, Huelse has a postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. One of a series of small cast iron towers prefabricated by the German firm Pintsch in Fürstenwalde. Årø is an island off Årøsund, separated from the mainland by a channel 500 m (0.3 mi) wide. Located on the west side of the island, guiding ships through the channel. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS DEN-072; Admiralty C0969; NGA 2628. Åbenrå and Als Area Lighthouses Note: Als is an island just off the eastern base of the Jylland peninsula. The island is about 30 km (20 mi) long from northwest to southeast, and it has a population of about 60,000. At its south end, at Sønderborg, it is separated from the mainland by a narrow strait crossed by two bridges. The northwestern end of the island is also accessible by ferry from Blans, and another ferry crosses the Lille Bælt to Bøjden on the island of Fyn. Als was annexed by Germany in 1864, but it was returned to Denmark following a referendum in 1920. * Åbenrå (Sønderstrand) 1927. Active; focal plane 4 m (13 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, 3 s on, 2 s off. 4 m (13 ft) square cylindrical wood tower on a brick foundation; the lights are displayed through a square window. Trabas also has a good photo, and Google has a satellite view. The light guides ships entering the harbor of Åbenrå from the Lille Bælt. Located on the Kystvej at the foot of the Flensborgvej in Åbenrå. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C1048; NGA 2656.

Årøsund Fyr, January 2006 anonymous GNU-licensed Wikimedia photo

* Ballebro

1904 (German). Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, 1 s on, 1 s off. 6 m (20 ft) round cast iron tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white with one red horizontal band under the gallery; the lantern dome is dark gray metallic. Werning has a fine photo, Trabas also has a good photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. One of a series of small cast iron towers prefabricated by the German firm Pintsch in Fürstenwalde. The light guides ferries crossing the Als Fjord from Hardeshøj on Als to Blans on the mainland. Located on the Ballebrovej about 200 m (660 ft) east of the ferry terminal at Blans. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS DEN-101; Admiralty C1066; NGA 2704.

*** Nordborg {Augustenhof}

1902 (German). Active; focal plane 27 m (89 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, occulting once every 5 s. 20 m (66 ft) round cylindrical masonry tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white; lantern roof is gray metallic. The station has a large 2-1/2 story hipped-roof keeper's house. Trabas has a good closeup, Werning also has a photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. Located of the Augustenhofvej at the northwestern end of Als, on the west side of Købingsmark and about 4 km (2.5 mi) northwest of Nordborg. Site open; Anke/Jens report that that lighthouse is open for climbing, but no schedule information is available. ARLHS DEN-029; Admiralty C1030; NGA 2652.

* Tranerodde (Traner Odde) 1905 (German). Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, 1 s on, 1 s off. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical cast iron tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white with a single red horizontal band; lantern roof is gray metallic. Werning's photo is at right, Trabas has an excellent closeup, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. One of a series of small cast iron towers prefabricated by the German firm Pintsch in Fürstenwalde. Located on a promontory on the northeast side of Als, at the end of the Skærveagervej about 3 km (2 mi) east of Danfoss. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS DEN-106; Admiralty C1032; NGA 2712. * Taksensand 1905 (German). Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, occulting twice every 12 s. 19 m (62 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on a rubblestone pier. The lighthouse stands on a beach and is often surrounded by water; access to the tower is by a footbridge from a low bluff behind the beach. Lighthouse painted white; the lantern roof is greenish metallic. Bjarne Nielsen has a 2007 photo, Werning has a photo, Trabas also has a good photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. The tower was originally 32 m (105 ft) tall; Klaus Huelse has a historic postcard view of its previous appearance. It may have been damaged during World War II, but in any case it was reduced in height in 1953. Located on the beach about 1 km (0.6 mi) west northwest of Fynshav, the terminal for ferries to Fyn. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS DEN-107; Admiralty C1034; NGA 2716.

Tranerodde Fyr photo copyright Malte Werning; used by permission

* Mommark Vestmole (1)

1904 (German). Reactivated(?); focal plane 9 m (30 ft); continuous green light. 7 m (23 ft) tapered concrete tower with gallery; lantern removed. Lighthouse painted white. Google has a satellite view. The light had been replaced by small post light, but in Werning's photo it appears to have refurbished and probably reactivated. Mommark's small harbor is the terminal of a ferry to the island of Aero; Klaus Huelse has a postcard view of a ferry sailing between the two lighthouses. Located at the end of the short west mole at Mommark; Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C1042; NGA 2852.

* Mommark Havn (Ostmole) (1)

1904 (German). Reactivated(?); focal plane 9 m (30 ft); continuous red light. 7 m (23 ft) tapered concrete tower with gallery; lantern removed. Lighthouse painted white. Huelse has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. The light had been replaced by small post light, but in Werning's photo it appears to have refurbished and probably reactivated. Mommark's small harbor is the terminal of a ferry to the island of Aero; Klaus Huelse has a postcard view of a ferry sailing between the two lighthouses. Located at the end of the east mole at Mommark. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C1046; NGA 2856.

* Gammel-Pøl {Polshuk} 1906 (German). Active; focal plane 20 m (66 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, occulting three times every 15 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical cast iron tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white with a single red horizontal band; lantern roof is gray metallic. Werning has an excellent photo, Trabas also has a good photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. One of a series of small cast iron towers prefabricated by the German firm Julius Pintsch in Fürstenwalde. Polshuk is the German name for the cape. Located at the southeastern tip of Als, 3 km (1.8 mi) east of Neder Lysabild. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS DEN-108; Admiralty C1100; NGA 2872. [Kegnæs {Kegnäs} (1)] 1845. Inactive since 1896. Keeper's house, formerly with a lantern mounted on the roof. No photo available. The house is now a private residence. Site closed. **** Kegnæs {Kegnäs} (2) 1896 (German) (station established 1845). Active; focal plane 32 m (105 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, occulting once every 5 s. 18 m (59 ft) round masonry tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white, lantern dome black. Two 1-1/2 story keeper's houses, painted white with red tile roofs, are occupied by teams of six keepers. Trabas has a good closeup, Werning's photo is at right, the Anke/Jens site also has good photos, Dorthe Jensen has an aerial photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. Kegnæs is an island just south of Als, connected to Als by a causeway. The lighthouse is built on the southernmost tip of Kegnæs, close to the south end of the causeway; it marks the north side of the entrance to the Flensborg Fjord. Site open; tower open daily May through September. ARLHS DEN-019; Admiralty C1104; NGA 2876.

Kegnæs Fyr photo copyright Malte Werning; used by permission

Flensborg Fjord Lighthouses
Note: The Flensborg Fjord (Flensburger Förde in German) forms part of the border of Denmark and Germany. Lighthouses on the German side are listed on the Germany: Flensburg to Lübeck page. These three cast iron range lighthouses on what is now the Danish side were prefabricated by Sohns Maschinen Fabrik.
* Skodsbøl Forfyr

1896 (German). Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); white light, 1 s on, 1 s off. 8 m (26 ft) round cylindrical cast iron tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white with one red horizontal band; the lantern dome is also painted red. Werning has a fine photo, Trabas has a closeup, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. The range guides westbound ships on a northward reach around the peninsula of Schausende on the German side. The rear light is on a skeletal tower. Located just off the Brovej (highway 8) between Skodsbøl and Røndbjerg. The lighthouse is in a farm field but can be seen easily from the highway. Site and tower closed. ARLHS DEN-104; Admiralty C1136; NGA 2932.

* Lågemade Forfyr 1896 (German). Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); red light, 1 s on, 1 s off. 8 m (26 ft) round cylindrical cast iron tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white with one red horizontal band; the lantern dome is also painted red. Trabas also has a photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. The range guides westbound ships as they make their turn around the peninsula of Schausende on the German side. The rear light is on a skeletal tower. Located on the waterfront near the intersection of the Sundgade and the Fjordvej in Egernsund about 2 km (1.2 mi) west of the Skodsbøl Forfyr. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS DEN-109; Admiralty C1140; NGA 2952. * Rinkenæs {Rinkenäs} Forfyr 1896 (German). Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); white or green light, depending on direction, light, 1 s on, 1 s off. 8.5 m (28 ft) round cylindrical cast iron tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white with one red horizontal band; the lantern dome is also painted red. Trabas has an excellent photo, and Werning also has a photo. The range guides westbound ships as they make their turn around the peninsula of Schausende on the German side. The rear light is on a skeletal tower. Located about 1.2 km (3/4 mi) southeast of Rinkenæs, halfway between Dalsgård and Sandager. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS DEN-102; Admiralty C1166; NGA 2944.

Rinkenæs Forfyr; Danish Environment and Energy Ministry photo

Information available on lost lighthouses

• Grenå North Mole and South Mole (?-1990s), Grenå
• Højen (1892-1956), Skagen. This station was replaced by the Skagen Vest Fyr.

Notable faux lighthouses:

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Posted December 16, 2006. Checked and revised March 12, 2009. Lighthouses: 58, lightships: 1. Site copyright 2009 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.