Lighthouses of Western 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 70 lighthouses and a well-developed lighthouse administration. This page includes lighthouses of the west coast, including the islands of Saaremaa, Hiiumaa, and Vormsi. Lighthouses of the Gulf of Finland are on the Northern Estonia page.

Estonia's independence is recent. The country was part of the Swedisn Empire from 1625 to 1710, and then part of the Russian Empire from 1710 until the end of World War I in 1918. After two decades of independence, 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. An example from the imperial period appears at right: 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.

General Sources
EMA Aids to Navigation Database
Official information from the Estonian Maritime Administration.
Online List of Lights - Estonia
Photos of navigational aids posted by Alexander Trabas.
Estonian Lighthouses
A large portfolio of photos posted on Webshots.com.
Leuchttürme an der estländischen Ostseeküste
Photos of 8 Estonian lighthouses posted by Bernd Claußen.
My Lights - Estonia Index
Photos by Joke Reijnen.
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 Huelse, has 18 historic postcard views of Estonian lighthouses.

Tahkuna Light
Tahkuna Light, Hiiumaa, March 2006
anonymous Creative Commons photo

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, another excellent closeup is available, and Huelse has a historic postcard view. 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 good photo is available, also a second photo. 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. The lighthouse is unpainted red brick; lantern painted red. 2-story brick keeper's house. The lighthouse has been in poor condition; Vladimir Popov has a 2006 photo that shows severe spalling of the bricks. 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.

Ruhnu Light
anonymous Wikimedia GNU Free Documentation photo
* 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. Vladimir Popov has a winter photo. 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 Pärnu, 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 (Matsiranna) (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. Taavi Liblik has a closeup. Located on a promontory 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 (Pöörilaiu, 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. A winter closeup is available. 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.
* Virtsu {Werder} (3)
1951 (station established 1866). Active; focal plane 19 m (62 ft); white flash every 5 s. 18 m (59 ft) square concrete tower with gallery but no lantern, mounted on a square concrete block base. Upper half of the lighthouse painted red, lower half white. A photo is at right, and Claußen has another photo. The original lighthouse, a cast iron tower of the same class as the Kihnu Light, was destroyed in World War I, and its replacement (1924), a round concrete tower, was destroyed in World War II. Huelse has a historic postcard view of the 1866 lighthouse. Virtsu, on the east (mainland) side of the Suur Väin, is the departure point for ferries to the island of Muhu and the larger island of Saaremaa beyond. Located on the western point of the Virtsu peninsula. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-062; EMA 780; Admiralty C3632; NGA 12520.
Rukkirahu (Range Rear) (3)
1940 (station established 1860). Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); two flashes every 6 s, white or red depending on direction. 16 m (52 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with red trim. Claußen has a photo, and a 2008 photo is available. Sibling of the Pöörilaid lighthouse. This light marks a "crossroads" off Rohuküla; shipping between Ruhuküla and the islands of Hiiumaa and Vurmsi passes east and west while coastwise traffic passes north and south. The light also functions with the Hobulaid light as the rear light of a southbound range. Located on a small island about 5 km (3 mi) west of Rohuküla. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed, but there is a view of the lighthouse from the Rohuküla to Hiiumaa ferry. ARLHS EST-073; EMA 482; Admiralty C3652.1; NGA 12588.1.
Hobulaid (Range Front) (2)
1934 (station established 1908). Active; focal plane 4 m (13 ft); flash every 2.5 s, white or red depending on direction. 4 m (13 ft) round cylindrical metal tower with lantern mounted on a concrete base. Tower painted red, concrete base white. Located at the southern tip of the small island of Hobulaid, about 3.7 km (2.3 mi) north of the Rokkirahu lighthouse. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS EST-066; EMA 481; Admiralty C3652; NGA 12588.
* Paralepa Range Front (2)
1934 (station established 1916). Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); quick-flashing white light visible only on the range line. 15 m (49 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. 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. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-043; EMA 471; Admiralty C3656; NGA 12600.

Virtsu Light
Estonian Maritime Administration photo
* 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, separated from the Courland peninsula of Latvia by the Irbe Strait. The island is readily accessible via ferry from Virtsu on the mainland to Kuivastu on Muhu Island and a bridge from Muhu to Saaremaa. Historically, Saaremaa was known as Ösel in both German and Swedish.
Viirelaid (Viirelaiu) {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. Huelse has a historic postcard of the 1881 tower at this station, a cast iron tourelle. 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 photo is at right. 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 gallery, mounted on a 1-story hexagonal stone base. Lantern removed. A good 2007 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.
Kübassaare Light
Kübassaare Light, August 2005
anonymous Creative Commons photo
* 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. Reijnen has a September 2006 photo showing the skeletal tower, which was apparently added to the lighthouse earlier in 2006. Trabas also has a photo. 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. Trabas has an excellent closeup, and Claußen also has a photo. 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.
** Sõrve {Sworve, Swalfer Ort} (5)
1960 (station established 1646). Active; focal plane 52 m (171 ft); white flash every 15 s. 53 m (174 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and double gallery. Lighthouse painted black with a broad white horizontal band at the base. 2-story crew quarters and other buildings. A photo is at right, Otto de Voogd has a 2006 photo, Reijnen has an excellent photo, and Trabas also has a photo. This handsome tower, one of Estonia's best known lighthouses, marks the north side of the entrance to the Gulf of Riga through the Irbensky Strait (Irbeni Väin); the similar Mikeltornis lighthouse in Latvia (built in 1955) marks the south side. The third Sõrve lighthouse, built in 1863, was destroyed during World War II, when German troops made their last stand in Estonia on this site; Klaus Huelse has a historic photo of that tower. It was replaced by a temporary wooden tower in 1949. Formerly a highly restricted Soviet military zone, the Sõrve peninsula has been opened to the public. The lighthouse seems to be open as well. On clear days the Latvian lighthouses of Slitere and Mikeltornis should be visible across the strait. Located on the southernmost point of Saaremaa, at the end of highway 77 about 2 km (1.2 mi) south of Sääre. Site open, tower apparently open. ARLHS EST-013; EMA 935; Admiralty C3704; NGA 12672.
* Loode
1955. Active; focal plane 19 m (62 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 15 m (49 ft) Virtsu-type square concrete tower with gallery but no lantern, mounted on a square concrete block base. Lower 3/5 of lighthouse painted white, upper 2/5 red. Located on the southwestern tip of the Sõrve peninsula near Tammuna and about 11 km (6.5 mi) northwest of the Sõrve lighthouse. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-032; EMA 934; Admiralty C3704.2; NGA 12674.

Sõrve Light
Estonian Maritime Administration photo
* Kihelkonna Range Front
1985. Inactive since 1998. 18 m (60 ft) octagonal concrete tower with gallery, rising from a square concrete base. The lantern, if there was one, has been removed. Tower painted white with a black vertical stripe on the range line. The tower continues to be maintained as a daybeacon. Located near Kihelkonna, a fishing port at the end of a long fjord on the west side of Saaremaa. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-068; EMA 922.
* Kihelkonna Range Rear
1985. Inactive since 1998. Approx. 24 m (80 ft) square cylindrical church steeple with a tall square pyramidal spire. The light was formerly shown through a small opening in the steeple. Church painted white. A 2007 photo is available. The tower continues to be listed as a daybeacon. Located in Kihelkonna, a fishing port at the end of a long fjord on the west side of Saaremaa. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-067; EMA 923.
** 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. Trabas has a good photo, Reijnen also has a fine photo, and Huelse has a historic postcard view. 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 photo is at right, and Otto de Voogd has excellent photos from visits in 1997 and 2004. Sibling of the 1931 Juminda Light east of Tallinn. This is presently the world's best known leaning lighthouse, but if you want to see it, don't delay. 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 an August 2007 photo shows a reduced angle, and by early 2008 it had come back close to vertical. However, these shifts are caused by undermining of the foundation by the waves, and it seems very likely the tower will collapse within a few years at most. The light is still listed as a daybeacon. 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.
Kiipsaar Light
Kiipsaar Light, August 2008
Creative Commons photo by Héctor Cenador

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. Historically, Hiiumaa was known as Dagö in both German and Swedish.
* 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. Claußen has a photo. 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. Trabas has a closeup, and Claußen has a distant photo showing both range lighthouses. Sõru is a ferry port near the tip of Hiiumaa'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, Trabas has a closeup, another good closeup is available, and Claußen has a distant photo showing both range lighthouses. 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 closeup photos, another good closeup is available, and Huelse has a historic postcard view. 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 local authorities 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.
Kõpu Light
Kõpu Light, July 2007
Creative Commons photo by Cyrus Farivar
* Ristna
1874. Active; focal plane 37 m (121 ft); white or red light, depending on direction, 3 s on, 12 s off; white light is shown to the west and red to the east. 30 m (98 ft) hexagonal tower, cast iron encased in concrete with six stout ribs, lantern, and gallery. Lighthouse painted bright red; lantern dome painted white. This lighthouse marks the westernmost point of Hiiumaa. A photo is at right, and T.T. Koski also has a good photo. The original lighthouse, prefabricated in France, was a hexagonal skeletal tower with central cylinder; Lighthouse Explorer has a postcard view contributed by Michel Forand. The lighthouse was encased in concrete in 1920 after being damaged during World War I. Located at the end of the Kõpu (Dager Ort) peninsula near the village of Ristna. Site and tower closed, but the lighthouse can be seen from nearby. ARLHS EST-049; EMA 673; Admiralty C3744; NGA 12716.
** Tahkuna {Tackerort}
1875. Active; focal plane 43 m (141 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off, 3 s on, 6 s off. 43 m (141 ft) round cast iron tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern dome is red. A photo is at the top of this page, Otto de Voogd has a good photo, Reijnen has a photo, and a fine 2007 photo is available. This lighthouse marks the northernmost point of Hiiumaa, overlooking the mouth of the Gulf of Finland. It is a sibling of the Ristna lighthouse, both towers having been prefabricated in the same French factory in 1874. It is claimed locally that they were switched, with this taller tower intended originally for Ristna. There was heavy fighting here in 1941, when Russian forces made a last stand against invading German troops; fortunately the lighthouse survived. Located on Tahkuna Neem (Point) about 1.75 km (1.1 mi) northwest of the village of Tahkuna. Site open, tower open by arrangement with the caretaker. ARLHS EST-014; EMA 645; Admiralty C3754; NGA 12728.
* Hiiessaare
1876. Active; focal plane 19 m (62 ft); white light, 2 s on, 4 s off. 17 m (56 ft) square concrete tower with gallery but no lantern, mounted on a 1-story square stone base. Entire lighthouse painted white. Hiiessaare is a small village on the northeastern coast of Hiiumaa. This was formerly the front light of a range, but the rear light (next entry) has been discontinued. Located near the waterfront. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-076; EMA 625; NGA 12730.

Ristna Light
Estonian Maritime Administration photo
* 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. The island was formerly called Wormsö in German and Ormsö in Swedish.
Harilaid (Harilaiu) 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. Huelse has a historic postcard view of a former lighthouse on this island. 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. A photo appears at right, Klaus Huelse has a historic postcard photo, a 2008 photo is available, and Otto de Voogd has photos taken in the winter of 2006. 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. 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. A 2007 photo is available. 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.
Vormsi
Vormsi (Saxby) Light
Estonian Maritime Administration photo
* Sviby Range Rear
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); white light occulting once every 6 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical tower with gallery and a boxlike lantern. Lighthouse painted red. The tower also carries a large slatted daymark painted white with a black vertical stripe. A closeup photo is available. This range guides vessels into the harbor of Sviby, on the southeastern coast of Vormsi. The front light is on a mast. Located on the waterfront, west of the ferry terminal in Sviby. Site open, tower closed. EMA 562; Admiralty C3655.1.

Information available on lost lighthouses:

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Notable faux lighthouses:

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Posted May 1, 2005. Checked and revised May 19, 2009. Lighthouses: 42. Site copyright 2009 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.