Lighthouses of Northern 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 the lighthouses of the northern (Gulf of Finland) coast. The other lighthouses are on the Western Estonia page. 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. An example from the imperial period appear at right: the old Suurupi lighthouse, built in 1760. 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. Estonian Lighthouses A large portfolio of photos posted on Webshots.com. Online List of Lights - Estonia North Coast Photos posted by Alexander Trabas. 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.

Suurupi Range Rear Light Estonian Maritime Administration photo

Western Gulf of Finland Lighthouses
Osmussaar {Odensholm, Odinsholm} (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 double 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. S. Melkon has a 2007 photo, Richard Simso has a photo, and an aerial photo is available. 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 the island 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. Huelse has a historic postcard view of the old lighthouse. 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.

* Madise Range Front 1955. Active; focal plane 22 m (72 ft); white light, 1 s on, 1 s off. 20 m (66 ft) square cylindrical steel skeletal tower with gallery, painted red. The front of the tower carries a large slatted daymark, painted white with a black vertical stripe on the range line. Located near the waterfront at the southeastern end of Paldiski Laht (bay). Site status unknown, but it should be easy to view the light; tower closed. EMA 401; Admiralty C3778; NGA 12765. * Madise Range Rear 1955. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); white light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 15 m (49 ft) square church steeple with a tall square pyramidal spire; the light is apparently shown through a wondow at the top of the tower, below the spire. This is a very unusual range in that the front light is actually higher than the rear light. Located in Madise, a town at the southeastern end of Paldiski Laht (bay), 600 m (0.37 mi) southeast of the front light. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-078; EMA 402; Admiralty C3778.1; NGA 12765.1. * Pakri {Pakerort} (1) 1724. Long inactive. Approx. 9 m (30 ft) round rubblestone tower, the stump of the historic lighthouse. A 1-story building of unknown nature was built atop the old tower, probably during the Soviet era. Lauri Oherd has a good photo. The lighthouse was built by Czar Peter the Great, who established a light station here only 6 years after building a naval base nearby at Paldiski. Site open, tower closed. * Pakri {Pakerort} (4) 1889 (station established 1724). Active; focal plane 73 m (240 ft); white light, 5 s on, 10 s off. 52 m (171 ft) round red brick tower with lantern and gallery. Tower unpainted; lantern painted black, watch room and gallery red to match the brick. Estonia's tallest lighthouse. This lighthouse stands at the tip of a promontory projecting into the Gulf of Finland, making it an important guide for ships proceeding up the Gulf. Klaus Huelse has a historic photo of the lighthouse standing near a shorter square lighthouse; it is not clear when this shorter tower was built. Located at the tip of Pakri Neem (Cape Pakri) about 3 km (2 mi) northwest of Paldiski. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-010; EMA 380; Admiralty C3774; NGA 12764.

Pakri Light Estonian Maritime Administration photo

** 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, Reijnen has a fine photo, Trabas has an EMA photo, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. 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 on the southeast side of Suurupi, a town on a promontory about 20 km (13 mi) west of Tallinn. Site open, tower open but the schedule is unknown. ARLHS EST-017; EMA 375; Admiralty C3786.1; NGA 12768.

** Suurupi {Surupe} Range Front 1859. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); white light, 1,5 s on, 1.5 s off. 15 m (49 ft) square pyramidal, 4-story wood keeper's house with A-frame roof, painted white. The light was formerly shown through a window on the top floor at one end of the building; it has been moved to a small wooden gallery in front of the light. Reijnen has a 2006 photo, Trabas has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. A miraculous survivor of two world wars and nearly 150 winters, this remarkable lighthouse is a well-known historic landmark on Estonia's coastline. The top floor with its lantern chamber was added in 1885. Located near the coast about 3 km (2 mi) east of Suurupi and 2.25 km (1.4 mi) east northeast of the rear light. Site open, tower open but the schedule is unknown. ARLHS EST-012; EMA 374; Admiralty C3786; NGA 12767. * 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. A 2006 closeup is available, and Google has a good satellite view. The island is strategically important for control of the Gulf, so it has been heavily fortified since at least 1710. Huelse has a historic postcard view of the original lighthouse. For many years 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. * Hülkari (Hülgekari) Date unknown. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); white light, 1.5 s on, 4.5 s off. 15 m (49 ft) square skeletal tower with gallery, painted red; the upper 3/5 of the tower is enclosed by a white slatted daymark. An excellent 2006 photo is available, and a Google satellite view shows the shadow of the tower. Located at the southeastern tip of Naissaar. Site manager: Naissaare Loduspark (Nature Park). NGA 12776.

Naissaar Light Estonian Maritime Administration photo

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.

Tallinnamadal 1969 (lightship station established 1858). Active; focal plane 31 m (102 ft); two white flashes every 15 s. 29 m (95 ft) round two-stage cylindrical steel tower with lantern and three galleries, mounted on a concrete pier. Lower stage of lighthouse painted black, upper stage red, watch room yellow. EMA's photo is at right. This colorful modern lighthouse marks the dangerous Tallinn Shoal (Tallinnamadal) about 32 km (20 mi) north of the Tallinn waterfront. Construction began in 1960, but was interrupted several times when storms damaged the foundation. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS EST-055; EMA 200; Admiralty C3842; NGA 12784. * Tallinn {Reval, Katharinenthal} Range Front 1806 (probably not lit until 1839). Active; focal plane 49 m (161 ft); white or green light, depending on direction, 1.5 s on, 1.5 s off. 18 m (59 ft) octagonal pyramidal wood tower mounted at one end of a 2-story rectangular keeper's house. Entire building painted red. White light is shone on the range line and green to the right. Reijnen's closeup photo shows that the octagonal pyramid is a daybeacon, and the lights are mounted on a balcony railing at the front of the building. Trabas has a photo, Werner Vogels has a 2008 photo, Reijnen has a view from the rear light, and Google has a satellite view. The range guides ships approaching Tallinn in the main channel from the northwest. The house was damaged in World War II, but was repaired; it was further renovated in 1959. Located on Valge Street near Kadrioru Park in Tallinn. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-015; EMA 251; Admiralty C3810; NGA 12796. * Tallinn {Reval, Katharinenthal} Range Rear (2) 1896 (station established 1835). Active; focal plane 80 m (262 ft); whte light, 3 s on, 3 s off, with much more intense light along the range line. 40 m (131 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery. Upper 1/3 of lighthouse painted black, lower 2/3 white. Reijnen has a good photo, Trabas has a photo, Liis Roden has a 2007 photo, and Google has a satellite view. Despite its conspicuous urban location, this substantial and historic lighthouse doesn't seem to be as well known as many of the coastal Estonian lighthouses. Located about 1100 m (0.7 mi) southeast of the front light, just off the St. Petersburg highway (E-20). Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-018; EMA 252; Admiralty C3810.1; NGA 12800.

Tallinnamadal Light Estonian Maritime Administration photo

* 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. Google has a satellite view. Pirita is an eastern suburb of Tallinn and the terminus for ferries to Naissaar. Located at the end of the main quay at Pirita. 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. Google has a satellite view. 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 Front (2)

1927 (station established 1914). Active; focal plane 39 m (128 ft); white light, 1.5 s on, 1.5 s off, synchronized with the rear light and visible only on the range line. 34 m (112 ft) square steel skeletal tower with gallery, painted red. The tower carries a large slatted daymark, painted white with a red vertical stripe on the range line. Google has a satellite view. The Viimsi peninsula frames the east side of Tallinna Laht (Tallinn Bay). Located near the waterfront in Viimsi, about 7 km (4 mi) north of Pirita. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C3804; NGA 12804.

* 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, and Google has a satellite view. 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. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-046; EMA 160; Admiralty C3846; NGA 12880.

* Prangli {Wrangelsholm, Prangel, Wrangö} Southeast

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 30 m (98 ft); four white flashes every 24 s. 20 m (66 ft) square cylindrical skeletal tower with gallery. The upper 2/3 of the tower is enclosed by a white slatted daymark. The daymark is in poor condition in a 2004 photo. Located at the southeastern tip of the island. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C3850; NGA 12884.

Keri {Kokskär} (3) 1858 (station established 1724). Active; focal plane 31 m (102 ft); one long (2 s) white flash every 15 s. 31 m (102 ft) two-stage tower: 16 m round cylindrical cast iron tower with lantern and gallery, painted dark red, centered on the top of a 15 m (4 story) old-style stone tower, painted white. A 2007 photo is at right. Keri is a small island about 8 km (5 mi) north northeast of Prangli; it is the northernmost point of land in this area, so the light is critical for ships bound up or down the Gulf of Finland. The stone lower portion of the lighthouse was built in 1803 and originally carried a wooden tower, which was dismantled in 1854. The "modern" cast iron lighthouse was added in 1858. The lighthouse was renovated in 1959. In 1987 a large section of the stone veneer on the rear of the base collapsed from wave action; apparently it has not been repaired. Located near the center of the island. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-027; EMA 155; Admiralty C3844; NGA 12896. Aksi 1986. Inactive since about 1998. 15 m (49 ft) round cylindrical steel tower with a very large funnel-shaped topmark in the form of three rings. Tower painted black, topmark white. Aksi is a small island southeast of Pringli, from which it is separated by the narrow Aksi Salm. The discontinued lighthouse is maintained as a daybeacon. Accessible only by boat; there should be a distant view from the Prangli ferry. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-081; EMA 175. * Tammneeme (Range Rear) 1986. Inactive since 2003, but still maintained as a daybeacon. 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. This tower was the rear light of a range, the front light being on the Karbimadal lighthouse. Located at Tammneeme, on the east side of the Viimsi peninsula, about 4 km (2.5 mi) east northeast of Viimsi. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-083; EMA 192; Admiralty C3851.21; NGA 12885.1. Karbimadala 1986. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); three quick white flashes followed by one long (2 s) flash every 10 s. 15 m (49 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with double gallery but no lantern. Tower painted red with a white band at the top. Access to the gallery is by an external ladder, and the tower appears to be solid concrete. This was the front light of the Tammneeme Range until the rear light was discontinued in 2003. Located on Karbi Shoal (Karbimadal) in the Gulf of Finland about 5.2 km (3.2 mi) east of Tammneeme. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS EST-026; EMA 191; Admiralty C3851.2; NGA 12885.

Keri Light, 2007 Creative Commons photo copyright Tuderna

* Muuga (Vkhodnoy) Range Front

1986. Active; focal plane 36 m (118 ft); red 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 (Vkhodnoy) Range Rear

1986. Active; focal plane 54.5 m (179 ft); red 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. Martti Kuldma has an extreme closeup. 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 national 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. The tower is unpainted red brick; lantern painted red. . The lighthouse was increased in height by about 8 m (26 ft) in 1871, when the present lantern was also installed. A good photo and another closeup photo is available, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. 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. The lighthouse is 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; lantern roof is black. Trabas has a winter EMA closeup photo. 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. * Vainupea (Vainupaa) Date unknown. Active; focal plane 24 m (79 ft); white flash every 6 s. 20 m (66 ft) square cylindrical skeletal tower, covered with a white slatted daymark. Trabas has an EMA photo, a good 2006 photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a headland about 15 km (9 mi) northwest of Kunda. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C3874; NGA 12924.

Mohni Light Estonian Maritime Administration photo

Vaindloo {Stenskär} (2)

1864 (relocated here in 1871) Station established 1718. Active; focal plane 20 m (66 ft); flash every 15 s, white or red depending on direction. 17 m (56 ft) round cast iron tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern dome is red. 1-story crew quarters buildings, stone oil house, and other buildings in a fenced enclosure. A fine closeup and a distant view are available. The original wooden lighthouse, patched many times, finally collapsed in 1868. This lighthouse was relocated from Vormsi in 1871. It is one of three cast iron lighthouses prefabricated in England for the Russian government of Estonia; the other two are the Kihnu Light, which survives (see above), and the first Virtsu Light, now destroyed. The island, well out in the Gulf of Finland, is the northernmost point of Estonia. It appears that the station is staffed as an assertion of Estonian sovereignty. The island is also visited from time to time by birders and researchers. Located on an island about 16 km (10 mi) north of Kunda. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS EST-057; EMA 045; Admiralty C3876; NGA 12928.

* Kunda (2) 1909 (station established 1896). Inactive since 1998 (?). 17 m (56 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on a square 1-story limestone base. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. More information on this lighthouse is needed. Located near the base of the jetty in Kunda. Site status unknown. Site manager: unknown. ARLHS EST-069. * Letipea (3) 1951 (station established 1815). Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); four flashes every 18 s, white, red, or green depending on direction. 14 m (43 ft) Virtsu-type square concrete tower with gallery but no lantern, mounted on a square concrete block base. Entire lighthouse painted white. A photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. This is a directional light for ships approaching the port of Kunda. Located at the tip of Cape Letipea, about 12 km (7 mi) northeast of Kunda. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-031; EMA 040; Admiralty C3884; NGA 12940. * Moldova Date unknown. Active; focal plane 85 m (279 ft); white flash every 3 s. 28 m (92 ft) square steel skeletal tower, painted red; the upper 2/3 of the lighthouse is enclosed by a slatted daymark painted black on the upper third of the tower and white in the middle third. Google has a satellite view. Located on a hill at Moldova, about 10 km (6 mi) west of Kohtla-Järve. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C3888 NGA 12944. * Narva (3) 1957 (station established 1725). Active; focal plane 34 m (112 ft); two long (1.5 s) white flashes every 12 s. 30 m (98 ft) round concrete block tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on a 1-story stone base. Tower painted with red and white horizontal bands; lantern painted black; base unpainted gray stone. An EMA photo is at right, Kati Suomalainen has a 2007 photo, and Google has a satellite view. Narva is a historic port city on the frontier between Estonia and Russia. Nothing is known of the 1725 tower. Huelse has a historic postcard view of the 1808 lighthouse, which was destroyed during World War II. Lighthouse located in Narva-Jöesuu, on the west bank at the entrance to the Narva River. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-036; EMA 001; Admiralty C3894; NGA 12956

Narva Light Estonian Maritime Administration photo

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 Pihkva, the southernmost section of Lake Peipsi, is connected to the main section by a strait at Mehikoorma. Estonia and Russia have established a joint commission to encourage use of these waterways by pleasure craft.
* 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, and EMA has a page with a photo. Located at the entrance to the Rannapungerja 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. Andres Piir has a good photo, EMA has a page with a photo, Google has a satellite view. 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. A good 2007 photo and additional recent photos are available, EMA has a page with a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a headland at the narrowest point of the strait connecting Lakes Lämmi and Pihkva, 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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Posted May 1, 2005. Checked and revised May 26, 2009. Lighthouses: 39. Site copyright 2009 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.