Lighthouses of Estonia

Estonia is a small country with a surprisingly long coastline. Surrounded on 2-1/2 sides by water, it faces the Gulf of Riga on the southwest, the Baltic Sea on the west, and the Gulf of Finland on the north. There are two large islands in the Baltic, Saaremaa and Hiiumaa, and countless small islands. To guard these coasts, Estonia has more than 60 lighthouses and a well-developed lighthouse administration.

Estonia was part of the Russian Empire until the end of World War I in 1918, and then it was incorporated into the Soviet Union from 1940 to 1990. Thus the older lighthouses are from the Russian Imperial period, and some of the newer ones are of Soviet construction. Two examples from the imperial period appear at right: the old Suurupi lighthouse, built in 1760, and the Vormsi lighthouse, prefabricated in Lithuania in 1871.

Lighthouses in Estonia are operated by the Estonian Maritime Administration. In Estonian, a lighthouse is a tuletorn (fire tower) or a majakas.

Names in curly brackets {} are non-Estonian former names (Swedish or German).

ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. EMA numbers are from the web site of the Estonian Maritime Administration. Admiralty numbers are from volume C of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA List numbers are from Publication 116.

What's Hot:

General Sources
EMA Aids to Navigation Database

Official information from the Estonian Maritime Administration.

Estonian Lighthouses

A large portfolio of photos posted on Webshots.com.

Estonia Lighthouse Tour 2006

A collection of 51 photos posted on Flickr.com by Joke Reijnen.

Leuchttürme an der estländischen Ostseeküste

Photos of 8 Estonian lighthouses.

Six Remarkable Estonian Lighthouses

Information posted by Cybernetica AS, an Estonian manufacturer of aids to navigation.

Leuchttürme...auf historischen Postkarten

This page, posted by Klaus Hülse, has 18 historic postcard views of Estonian lighthouses.

Suurupi
Suurupi Range Rear Light

Vormsi
Vormsi (Saxby) Light
Estonian Maritime Administration photos

Gulf of Riga Island Lighthouses
* Ruhnu {Runö} (5): 1877 (station established 1646). Active; focal plane 65 m (213 ft); white flash every 4 s. 40 m (131 ft) cast iron quadripod tower with lantern, watch room, gallery, and central cylinder, painted brown; lantern roof is red. Otto de Voogd has two photos, and another excellent closeup is available. The lighthouse was prefabricated in Le Havre, France, and it is said to have been designed by Gustave Eiffel, although this has not been confirmed. Only a few lighthouses of this quadrupod design were built and this is a very rare survivor. It was heavily damaged in World War I, but was repaired. Ruhnu is an island in the central Gulf of Riga, 37 km (23 mi) due east of Cape Kolka, Latvia. Until World War II it was the home of descendents of the original Swedish settlers, who called the island Runö. Now a popular tourist attraction in the summer, Ruhnu has a permanent population of about 60. Most visitors arrive by air, but there is also passenger ferry service from Saaremaa. Located on a hill in the eastern part of the island. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-011; EMA 990; Admiralty C3482; NGA 12220.
* Kihnu {Küno}: 1865. Active; focal plane 29 m (95 ft); two long (1.5 s) flashes every 12 s, white or red depending on direction. 28 m (92 ft) round tapered cast iron tower with lantern and gallery; Fresnel lens in use. Lighthouse painted white; lantern dome is red. A fine closeup is available. This lighthouse was prefabricated in England; it is a copy of the Vormsi Light (see below). Kihnu is an island in the northern Gulf of Riga, about 12 km (7.5 mi) south of the mainland and 40 km (25 mi) southwest of Pärnu. Most visitors arrive by air, but there is also ferry service from Pärnu in the summer. Located on the south end of the island. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-028; EMA 840; Admiralty C3605; NGA 12500.
Sorgu {Sorkholm} (2): 1904 (station established 1864). Active; focal plane 19 m (62 ft); two flashes every 9 s, white or red depending on direction. 16 m (53 ft) round cylindrical brick tower with lantern and gallery, standing on an octagonal base. Sorgu is a small island in the mouth of Pärnu Bay in the northeastern corner of the Gulf of Riga, about 30 km (19 mi) southwest of Pärnu. The island is a bird sanctuary, closed to visitors until after the nesting season ends in July. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-050; EMA 860; Admiralty C3602; NGA 12508.
* Manilaid {Manija}: 1933. Active; focal plane 9 m (30 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. Tower painted white, lantern red. Manilaid is a small island just off Munalaid at the western entrance to the Pärnu Laht (Pärnu Bay). The light displays no less than 10 sectors to guide ships around the island in their approach to Puarnu, Estonia's main port on the Gulf of Riga. Located at the southern tip of the island, which is accessible by passenger ferry from Munalaid. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-070; EMA 855; Admiralty C3603; NGA 12464.
West Coast Lighthouses
Sõmeri (2): 1954 (station established 1941). Active; focal plane 23 m (75 ft); white flash every 5 s. 20 m (66 ft) octagonal white concrete tower with gallery but no lantern, mounted on a square white concrete base. Located on the point of the Sõmeri Poolsaar (peninsula) about 10 km (6 mi) south of Matsi on the north shore of the Gulf of Riga. It is not known if there is land access to this site. Site status unknown. ARLHS EST-051; EMA 835; Admiralty C3595; NGA 12496.
Pöörilaid (Pööriotsa): 1939. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); four white flashes every 18 s, white, red, or green depending on direction. 13 m (43 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. This lighthouse marks the southern approach to the Suur Väin, the strait separating Saaremaa from the mainland. Located on a small island west of Mereäärse. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS EST-047; EMA 830; Admiralty C3631; NGA 12512.

* Paralepa Range Rear (2): 1934 (station established 1916). Active; focal plane 37 m (121 ft); white light visible only on the range line, 2 s on, 2 s off. 31 m (102 ft) slender round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Tower painted mostly white, with the top 1/4 black and a single black band in the white section. A good closeup is available. This range guides ships through Haapsalu Bay toward the port of Haapsalu. Located on the south side of the bay a short distance east of Haapsalu and 800 m (1/2 mi) south southeast of the front light. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-042; EMA 472; Admiralty C3656.1; NGA 12604.
* Paslepa {Ramsholm} Range Rear (2): 1935 (station established 1916). Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); red light occulting every 2 s, visible only on or close to the range line. 14 m (46 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. This range and the Norrby Range on Vormsi Island (see below) guide ships through the narrow Voosi Väin (strait) between Vormsi and the Paslepa peninsula of the mainland. Located on the coast near the northwestern tip of the Paslepa peninsula. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-045; EMA 442; Admiralty C3659.51; NGA 12620.
* Paslepa {Ramsholm} Range Front (2): 1935 (station established 1916). Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); quick-flashing red light visible only on or close to the range line. 10 m (32 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. Located on the coast near the northwestern tip of the Paslepa peninsula, 500 m (0.3 mi) northeast of the rear light. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-044; EMA 441; Admiralty C3659.5; NGA 12616.
Saaremaa Lighthouses
Note: The large island of Saaremaa lies off the southwestern coast of mainland Estonia and borders the northwest side of the Gulf of Riga. The island is readily accessible via ferry from Virtsu on the mainland to Kuivastu on Muhu Island and a bridge from Muhu to Saaremaa.
Viirlaid (Viirelaid) {Paternoster} (3): 1970 (?) (station established 1857); focal plane 17 m (56 ft); one long (1.5 s) flash every 8 s, white or red depending on direction. 13 m (43 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse painted red. Viirlaid is a small island just off the southeastern corner of Muhu, at the southwestern entrance to the Suur Väin. Klaus Huelse has a historic postcard of the 1881 tower at this station. The history of the station is available in Estonian, with photos. Located on the eastern point of the island. Accessible only by boat; there should be at least a distant view from the ferry to Muhu from Virtsu. Site status unknown. ARLHS EST-060; EMA 785; Admiralty C3636; NGA 12516.
* Kübassaare (2): 1924 (station established 1915). Active; focal plane 20 m (66 ft); white light, 2.5 s on, 6.5 s off. 18 m (59 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Lower half of lighthouse painted white; upper half, lantern, and gallery painted black. 1-story keeper's house and other structures. A good closeup is available. This lighthouse is about 25 km (15 mi) southwest of the Viirlaid Light. The original lighthouse was wooden; it was destroyed by a fire started by lightning in 1923. Located at the easternmost tip of Saaremaa, at the end of the Kübassaare Poolsaar (peninsula). Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-029; EMA 987; Admiralty C3630; NGA 12636.
** Laidunina: 1907. Inactive since about 1924. 24 m (79 ft) round brick tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on a 1-story octagonal stone base. An excellent closeup photo is available. This lighthouse was deactivated after it was found to be ineffective in warning ships away from nearby shoals. The lens and lighting equipment were transferred to the Kübassaare Light (previous entry). Located on a point of land about 16 km (10 mi) west southwest of Kübassaare. Site open, tower reported open in the summer. Site manager: unknown. ARLHS EST-030.
* Säärtukk: 1954. Active; focal plane 19 m (62 ft); three white flashes every 15 s. 18 m (59 ft) Virtsu-type square concrete tower with gallery but no lantern, mounted on a square concrete block base. Entire lighthouse painted white. Located at the end of a peninsula on the south side of Saaremaa, about 32 km (20 mi) east of Kuressaare. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-054; EMA 977; Admiralty C3627; NGA 12658.
* Abruka {Abrö} Range Rear (2): 1931 (station established 1897). Active; focal plane 38 m (125 ft); white light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 36 m (119 ft) slender round cylindrical concrete tower with gallery but no lantern. Tower painted white with three black horizontal bands on the upper half. The front light is on a tall post. Abruka is an island off the south coast of Saaremaa, about 6 km (4 mi) south of Roomassaare. The island has a small permanent population and is accessible in the summer by passenger ferry from Roomassaare. Located on the east side of the island. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-065; EMA 972; Admiralty C3616.1; NGA 12660.
* Anseküla (Range Rear): 1953. Active; focal plane 41 m (135 ft); white flash every 1.5 s. 28 m (92 ft) Virtsu-type square concrete tower with gallery but no lantern, topped by a square skeletal tower and mounted on a square concrete block base. Lower 2/3 of lighthouse painted white, upper 1/3 black. This lighthouse carries a general purpose light that also serves as the rear light of the Lõu-Anseküla Range. Joke Reijnen has a September 2006 photo showing the skeletal tower, which was apparently added to the lighthouse earlier in 2006. Located at Anseküla, on the east side of the narrow neck of the Sõrve peninsula at the southwestern end of Saaremaa. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-020; EMA 932; Admiralty C3710.1; NGA 12680.
* Lõu (Range Front): 1921. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); four quick flashes every 15 s, white to the west northwest along the range line, red to the left and green to the right of the range line. 9 m (30 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with green and yellow trim. Another photo is available. Since 1953 the lighthouse has also served as the front light of the Lõu-Anseküla Range. Located on the west (Baltic Sea) side of the Sõrve peninsula, north of the village of Lõu and 3.1 km (2 mi) west northwest of the Anseküla Light. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-075; EMA 931; Admiralty C3710.
* Kaavi: 1954. Active; focal plane 20 m (66 ft); white flash every 2.5 s. 15 m (49 ft) Virtsu-type square concrete tower with gallery but no lantern, mounted on a square concrete block base. Lighthouse painted black with a broad white horizontal band. Located on a promontory on the southeast side of the Sõrve peninsula about 4 km (2.5 mi) east of Mäebe. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-023; EMA 943; Admiralty C3705.3; NGA 12668.

** Vilsandi {Filsand}: 1809. Active; focal plane 40 m (131 ft); two short white flashes followed by one long (2 s) white flash every 15 s. 37 m (121 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery. Tower painted white, lantern and gallery black. A fine closeup is available. A historic and well known lighthouse, located on the island of Vilsandi off the northwest coast of Saaremaa. Originally there were two towers, but the lower tower was demolished in 1840. The joints in the surviving tower reflect several increases in height, the most recent being in 1870, when a 1° lantern was installed. Artur Toom, who was the keeper here from 1906 to 1941, put up nestboxes for birds all over the island, and in response the Russian government of Estonia declared the area a bird sanctuary in 1910. The Soviets sent Toom to Siberia in 1941, but today his island is a national park and a popular destination for birders and other tourists. Located on the west end of the island, facing the Baltic; a map is available. Island accessible by passenger ferry from Papisaare. Site open; tower open by arrangement with the caretaker. Site manager: Vilsandi Rahvuspark (National Park). ARLHS EST-061; EMA 925; Admiralty C3714; NGA 12684.
* Kiipsaar (Undva) {Hundsort} (2): 1933 (station established 1879). Inactive. 25 m (82 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted with black and white horizontal bands. A closeup and another, more distant, photo is available. Sibling of the 1931 Juminda Light east of Tallinn. Critically endangered by beach erosion, the lighthouse stands at the water's edge. For several years it was leaning at an angle of as much as 15°, but recently it has come back close to vertical. However, it seems very likely it will collapse within a few years at most. The light is still listed as a daybeacon. Otto de Voogd has excellent photos from visits in 1997 and 2004. Located at the tip of the Undva Poolsaar (peninsula) on the northwestern coast of Saaremaa, about 4 km (2.5 mi) west of the town of Undva. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-077; EMA 921; Admiralty C3716.
Hiiumaa Lighthouses
Note: The large island of Hiiumaa lies north of Saaremaa and off the northwestern coast of the mainland. The island is accessible by ferry from Rohuküla on the mainland to Heltermaa on Hiiumaa.
* Orjaku Range Front: 1928. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); continuous red light. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with gallery but no lantern, painted white with a black vertical stripe on the range line. Orjaku is a ferry terminal and yacht harbor on the island of Kassari, just off the southeast coast of Hiiumaa. Located just north of the ferry terminal. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-040; EMA 711; Admiralty C3644; NGA 12732.
* Orjaku Range Rear: 1928. Active; focal plane 23 m (75 ft); continuous red light. 16 m (52 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with gallery but no lantern, painted white with a black vertical stripe on the range line. Orjaku is a ferry terminal and yacht harbor on the island of Kassari, just off the southeast coast of Hiiumaa. Located north of the ferry terminal, only 80 m (87.5 yd) behind the front light. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-041; EMA 712; Admiralty C3644.1; NGA 12736.
* Emmaste Range Front: 1935. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); quick-flashing white light. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. Another photo is available. Emmaste is a village at the southernmost tip of Hiiumaa. The rear light is on a 19 m square skeletal tower about 1 km (0.6 mi) north. Located just behind the Emmaste waterfront. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-021; EMA 691; Admiralty C3720; NGA 12700.
* Sõru Range Front: 1934. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); quick-flashing white light. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Tower painted white, lantern and gallery red. A photo showing both range lighthouses is available. Sõru is a ferry port near the tip of Hiiuma's southern peninsula; the range lights guide ferries arriving from Triigi, Saaremaa, across the Soela Väin (strait). Located just of the beach at Sõru about 12 km (7.5 mi) west of Emmaste. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-052; EMA 701; Admiralty C3721; NGA 12707.
* Sõru Range Rear: 1934. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); quick-flashing white light. 16 m (52 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Lower half of tower painted white; upper half, lantern and gallery painted red. Reijnen has a good photo, a photo showing both range lighthouses is available, as well as a good closeup of this tower. Located 490 m (0.3 mi) north of the front light at Sõru about 12 km (7.5 mi) west of Emmaste. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-053; EMA 702; Admiralty C3721.1; NGA 12708.
*** Kõpu {Dagö, Dager Ort}: 1531. Active; focal plane 102 m (335 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 36 m (118 ft) massive square stone tower with four gigantic triangular buttresses, topped by a square brick extension, lantern, and gallery. Lighthouse painted white, lantern red. Otto de Voogd has a good closeup photo, and another closeup is available. Certainly one of the world's most imposing lighthouses and one of the oldest continuously operated light stations in the world. Originally an open fire was kept atop the tower, which at first was only as tall as the top of the buttresses. The brick top section of the tower was built in 1659. The Russian government took over operation of the tower from the local nobles in 1805 and added a lantern in 1845. Today the old lighthouse is Hiiumaa's leading tourist attraction, featuring a spectacular view of the Baltic and the entrance to the Gulf of Finland. Located atop the highest hill of the Kõpu (Dager Ort) peninsula about 6 km (4 mi) east of the end of the peninsula at Ristna. Site open, tower open for a small fee. ARLHS EST-006; EMA 668; Admiralty C3746; NGA 12720.

* Paluküla (Hiiesaare Range Rear): Date unknown. Inactive since about 2001. Square cylindrical church steeple with a tall square pyramidal spire. Church painted white. The rear light of the Hiiesaare Range was formerly displayed from this steeple. The steeple is still listed as a daybeacon. Located in Paluküla, about 3.5 km (2 mi) east of Kärdla and 2.8 km (1.75 mi) southwest of the front light. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-082; EMA 626.
Vormsi Lighthouses
Note: Vormsi is an island northeast of Hiiumaa, separated from the mainland by the Voosi strait. A map is available. The island is accessible by ferry from Rohuküla on the mainland.
Harilaid Range Rear (3): 1940 (station established 1845). Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); white, red, or green light, depending on direction, 2 s on, 2 s off. 12 m (39 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. This is the rear light of a range leading north northwest through the strait between Hiiumaa and the smaller island of Vormsi. Located on the small island of Harilaid. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS EST-002; EMA 587; Admiralty C3758.51; NGA 12564.
* Vormsi (Saxby) {Wormsö, Ormsö} (2): 1871 (station established 1864). Active; focal plane 27 m (89 ft), white, red, or green light, depending on direction, 3 s on, 3 s off. 24 m (79 ft) round cast iron tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern painted red. This lighthouse was prefabricated at Liepaja (then Libau) in Lithuania. It replaced an 1864 cast iron tower of English manufacture, which was relocated to Vaindloo in the Gulf of Finland after it was found to be too short to work effectively at this location. The lighthouse is the rear light for a northbound range and the front light for a southeastbound range. A photo appears at the top of this page, Klaus Huelse has a historic postcard photo, a lovely closeup photo is available, and Otto de Voogd has photos taken in the winter of 2006. Located on Saxby Neem, the northwest point of Vormsi, abut 2 km (1.2 mi) west of the town of Saxby. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-064; EMA 595; Admiralty C3758.
* Norrby Range Front (2): 1935 (station established 1916). Active; focal plane 22 m (72 ft); white light occulting once every 2 s, visible only on or close to the range line. 22 m (72 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. This range and the Paslepa Range on the mainland (see above) guide ships through the narrow Voosi Väin (strait) east of Vormsi. Located on the northeast coast of Vormsi near Norrby. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-038; EMA 447; Admiralty C3659; NGA 12614.
* Norrby Range Rear (2): 1935 (station established 1916). Active; focal plane 35 m (115 ft); white light occulting once every 2 s, visible only on or close to the range line. 32 m (105 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on a 2-story octagonal base. Lantern and upper third of tower painted red, lower 2/3 of tower painted white. Located on the northeast coast of Vormsi near Norrby, 950 m (0.6 mi) southeast of the front light. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-039; EMA 447; Admiralty C3659; NGA 12614.
Western Gulf of Finland Lighthouses
Osmussaar {Odensholm} (5): 1954 (station established 1766). Active; focal plane 39 m (128 ft); two white flashes every 18 s. 35 m (115 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on a 1-story square cement block base. Tower painted with black and white horizontal bands; lantern, gallery and watch room painted black; base painted white. 1-story keeper's house and other buildings. Kimmo Nummela has posted a photo with an account of a visit, and a 2005 closeup photo shows the lighthouse freshly painted. Osmussaar is a small island 7.5 km (4.7 mi) off the northwestern tip of the Estonian mainland in the mouth of the Gulf of Finland; the lighthouse here plays a critical role in guiding ships into the Gulf from the Baltic Sea. Until 1940 the island had a small Swedish-speaking population who called their home Odensholm. In 1941 this was the last place in Estonia to surrender to the Germans; the 1850 stone lighthouse (the third on the island) was destroyed in the fighting. A temporary wooden tower (1946) was replaced by the present lighthouse. Today the island is uninhabited, although it is visited fairly regularly by ecotours from Haapsalu. Located at the northeastern tip of the island. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-009; EMA 425; Admiralty C3760; NGA 12748.

* Suurupi {Surupe} Range Rear: 1760. Active; focal plane 66 m (217 ft); white light, 4.5 s on, 1.5 s off, 4.5 s on, 4.5 s off. 22 m (72 ft) round old-style stone tower with lantern and double gallery, incorporating 4-story keeper's quarters. Lighthouse painted white with black trim; lantern painted black. There is a photo at the top of this page, and another good closeup is available. Built near the end of the reign of Czarina Elizaveta Petrovna, this is a magnificent example of classic Russian Imperial lighthouse design. The Ovisi and Slitere lighthouses in Latvia are similar but more than 80 years younger. This lighthouse was substantially rebuilt in 1812 and further renovated in 1858. The watch room was added in 1951, and the present lantern was new in 1998. Located in Suurupi 2.25 km (1.4 mi) southwest of the front light. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-017; EMA 375; Admiralty C3786.1; NGA 12768.
* Naissaar {Nargö, Nargen} (3): 1960 (station established 1788). Active; focal plane 47 m (154 ft); white light, 3 s on, 7 s off. 45 m (148 ft) octagonal concrete tower with lantern and double gallery. Upper 1/3 of lighthouse painted red, lower 2/3 white. Naissaar (Nargö in Swedish) is an island in the Gulf of Finland about 12 km (7.5 mi) northwest of Tallinn. The island is strategically important for control of the Gulf, so it has been heavily fortified since at least 1710. Originally there were two lighthouses, but neither one survived World War II. The present tower replaced a 38 m (125 ft) wooden temporary tower built in 1946. Soviet troops based on the island finally withdrew in 1993, and most of the island was then declared a nature park. Day tours are available from Tallinn. Located at the northern tip of the island. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Naissaare Loduspark (Nature Park). ARLHS EST-008; EMA 320; Admiralty C3790; NGA 12772.
Tallinn Area Lighthouses
Vahemadal: 1979. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); red flash every 10 s. 14 m (46 ft) octagonal pyramidal steel tower with double gallery but no lantern, mounted on a pyramidal concrete base. The tower also has a fog whistle, which operates in all weather. Upper half of tower painted white, lower half red; gallery rails are also red. In Estonian, madal is a shoal or bank. Located on a shoal on the northwestern approach to Tallinn harbor, about 3 km (2 mi) north of the Valjasaar peninsula. Accessible only by boat, but there should be a distant view from shore. Site and tower closed. ARLHS EST-056; EMA 300; Admiralty C3805; NGA 12793.

* Pirita Range Front: 1979. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); red light, 1 s on, 1 s off. 9 m (30 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower surrounded by a series of three circular galleries. No lantern. Tower painted red, galleries white. Pirita is an eastern suburb of Tallinn and the terminus for ferries to Naissaar. Located on the Pirita waterfront. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-084; EMA 241; Admiralty C3840.8.
* Pirita Range Rear: 1979. Active; focal plane 31 m (102 ft); red light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 28 m (92 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower rising from a 2-story building. No lantern. Tower painted white. Located about 400 m (1/4 mi) southeast of the front light in Pirita. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-085; EMA 242; Admiralty C3840.81.
* Viimsi Range Rear (2): 1939 (station established 1914). Active; focal plane 59 m (194 ft); white light, 1.5 s on, 1.5 s off, synchronized with the front light and visible only on the range line. 13 m (43 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse painted red. 1-story keeper's house. An excellent photo is available. The Viimsi peninsula frames the east side of Tallinna Laht (Tallinn Bay). The front light is on a 39 m (128 ft) skeletal tower. Located on a hill about 1.4 km (0.87 mi) east of the front light. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-059; EMA 232; Admiralty C3804.1; NGA 12808.
Muuga Area Lighthouses
* Prangli {Wrangelsholm, Prangel, Wrangö} Northwest: 1923. Active; focal plane 14 m (43 ft); four quick white flashes every 15 s. 12 m (39 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with a small gallery but no lantern. Lighthouse painted white. A closeup photo is available. Prangli is an island in the Gulf of Finland about 15 km (9 mi) northeast of the Viimsi peninsula; the island has a small permanent population and is accessible by passenger ferry from Leppneeme on the northwest side of the Viimsi peninsula. Located at the northwestern tip of the island. ARLHS EST-046; EMA 160; Admiralty C3846; NGA 12880.

* Muuga Range Front: 1986. Active; focal plane 36 m (118 ft); white light, 3 s on, 2 s off. 33 m (108 ft) slender round steel tower, painted white, with two wing-like black vertical panels, one on either side, along the upper 2/3 of the tower. No lantern. Located on the waterfront in Muuga, a port at the base of Viimsi peninsula about 11 km (7 mi) east northeast of Tallinn. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-034; EMA 182; Admiralty C3854; NGA 12879.1.
* Muuga Range Rear: 1986. Active; focal plane 54.5 m (179 ft); white light, 3 s on, 2 s off. 48 m (157 ft) slender round steel tower, painted white, with two wing-like black vertical panels, one on either side, along the upper 2/3 of the tower. No lantern. Located in Muuga, 500 m (0.3 mi) south southwest of the front light. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-035; EMA 181; Admiralty C3854.1; NGA 12879.2.
* Kallavere Range Front: 1986. Active; focal plane 41 m (135 ft); white light, 1 s on, 1 s off. 25 m (82 ft) slender round steel tower, painted white, with two wing-like black vertical panels, one on either side, along the upper 2/3 of the tower. No lantern. Located on the waterfront in Kallevere, about 5 km (3 mi) east of Muuga. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-024; EMA 145.
* Kallavere Range Rear: 1986. Active; focal plane 60 m (197 ft); white light, 2 s on, 3 s off. 40 m (131 ft) slender round steel tower, painted white, with two wing-like black vertical panels, one on either side, along the upper 2/3 of the tower. No lantern. Located in Kallevere, about 1.35 km (0.85 mi) south of the front light. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-025; EMA 146.
Eastern Gulf of Finland Lighthouses
* Juminda: 1931. Active; focal plane 32 m (105 ft); white light, 3 s on, 2 s off, 3 s on, 7 s off. 24 m (79 ft) slender round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Upper half of lighthouse painted black, lower half white. A closeup is available. The 10 km (6 mi) long Juminda peninsula, which frames the east side of Kolga Bay, was the scene of heavy fighting in both world wars. Today, most of the peninsula is included in a natioal park. Located at the tip of the peninsula. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Lahemaa Rahvuspark (National Park). ARLHS EST-022; EMA 110; Admiralty C3860; NGA 12908.
Mohni {Ekholm} (2): 1852 (rebuilt 1871; station established 1806). Active; focal plane 33 m (108 ft); white light, 4 s on, 16 s off. 27 m (89 ft) round brick tower with lantern and gallery; entire lighthouse painted red. The lighthouse was increased in height by about 8 m (26 ft) in 1871, when the present lantern was also installed. A closeup photo is available. Mohni is a small island off Cape Purekkari, about 5 km (3 mi) northeast of Vilnistu on the Pärispea peninsula. Although it is included within the borders of Lahemaa National Park, it is privately owned. The owner, a patron of the arts, held an international art festival there in 2003. Lighthouse located on the northwestern point of the island. Site and tower closed. ARLHS EST-007; EMA 100; Admiralty C3868; NGA 12912.
Vergi: 1917. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); flash every 3 s, white, red, or green depending on direction. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lanern roof is black. Located on Kaupa Saar, a small island off Cape Vergi, near the town of Vergi. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS EST-058; EMA 080; Admiralty C3872; NGA 12920.

Lake Peipsi (Peipus) Lighthouses
Note: Lake Peipsi (Peipsi Järv) is a large lake that forms more than half of Estonia's eastern border with Russia. The lake drains to the Gulf of Finland through the Narva River. Lake Lämmi, the southernmost section of Lake Peipsi, is connected to the main section by a strait at Mehikoorma.
* Rannapungerja: 1930s. Active; focal plane about 12 m (39 ft); white flash every 4 s. Approx. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern roof is black. A recent photo is available, as well as a second closeup. Located at the entrance to the Rannpungerja River on the northwestern shore of the lake. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-048; EMA P01.
* Ninaküla: 1938. Active; focal plane about 15 m (49 ft); white flash every 4 s. 10 m (34 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern roof is black. No recent photo available. Located on a headland near Nina, about 5 km (3 mi) south of Kallaste on the west side of the lake. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-037; EMA P12.
* Mehikoorma: 1930s. Active; focal plane about 20 m (66 ft); white flash every 4 s. 15 m (49 ft) round cylindrical white concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Recent photos are available. Located on a headland at the narrowest point of the strait connecting Lakes Lämmi and Peipsi, about 3 km (2 mi) east of Meeksi. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-033; EMA P20.

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

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