Lighthouses of Northern Estonia (Harjumaa)

Paldiski Parish Lighthouses

* Risti (Ristina)

Date unknown (1950s?). Inactive since around 1980. 26 m (85 ft) square cylindrical skeletal tower. The tower was covered on all sides by a slatted daymark, less than half of which remains. Vaarandi has a closeup photo and a distant view, and Bing has an indistinct satellite view. The abandoned tower is no longer listed as a daybeacon. Located on a promontory near the village of Ristina, at the western end of Harju County. Site open, tower closed. ex-EMA 408; ex-Admiralty

Krassi (3?)

2008 (station established by the 1940s). Active; focal plane 13.5 m (44 ft); two white flashes every 7 s. 9 m (30 ft) post, the upper 2/3 surrounded by a large square slatted daymark. Entire lighthouse painted red. Bing has a satellite view. EMA lists 1951 as the station establishment date, but lights were listed here as early as 1945. This beacon marks an unstable shoal; at least two earlier beacons were lost to wave action. A distant view shows the ruined 1961 (?) tower. Located on a sandbar about 5 km (3 mi) west of the Suur-Pakri lighthouse (next entry). Accessible only by

Suur-Pakri (2?)

1978(?) (station established 1923). Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); two white flashes every 12 s. 11 m (36 ft) square cylindrical skeletal tower, painted red. At least three sides of the tower carry a slatted daymark, painted white with a red band at the top. Ruslan Nekrasov has a photo, another photo is available, and Bing has a satellite view. Located at the northwestern tip of Suur-Pakri (Big Pakri) island, about 13 km (8 mi) west of Paldiski. Site status unknown.

Väike-Pakri (2?)

1969(?) (station established 1940). Active; focal plane 34 m (112 ft); white flash every 6 s. 16 m (52 ft) square cylindrical skeletal tower, painted red. At least three sides of the tower carry a slatted daymark, painted white with a red band at the top. A closeup photo is available, and Bing has a distant satellite view. Located on the northeastern tip of Väike-Pakri (Little Pakri) island, about 5 km (3 mi) northwest of Paldiski. Site status

* 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. A photo is available, and Bing has an indistinct satellite view. Located 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 (Mattiase Kirik) 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. EMA also has a page for the light, Vaarandi has a photo, Estonian Wikipedia also has a photo, and Bing has a satellite view. The listed focal plane is clearly incorrect, as the church stands atop a steep cliff. The church is the Mattiase (St. Matthew) Kirik; its tower was built in the 15th century and has always served as a daymark for mariners. 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, Rågö} (2) 1760 (station established 1724). Inactive since 1808. Approx. 9 m (30 ft) round rubblestone tower, the stump of the historic 15 m (49 ft) lighthouse. A 1-story wood building atop the old tower is a Soviet-era signal station. Lauri Oherd has a good photo, Wikimedia has a photo, and Michel Forand has a historic postcard view of the intact lighthouse. 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. The first lighthouse was 12 m (39 ft) tall; this second one was replaced in 1808 by a 23 m (75 ft) stone tower. Coastal erosion is threatening the old structure. Site open, tower closed. * Pakri {Pakerort, Rågö} (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. EMA has a page for the light, Trabas has an EMA photo, Anton Sudarenko has a good photo, Forand has a historic postcard view, and Bing has a satellite view. Estonia's tallest lighthouse, this historic tower stands at the tip of a promontory projecting into the Gulf of Finland, making it an important guide for ships proceeding up the Gulf. 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, Paldiski, July 2012 Panoramio photo copyright Oleg Ivanov; used by permission

Keila Parish Lighthouse

[Laulasmaa]

1951. Inactive daybeacon. 44 m (144 ft) tapered square skeletal tower, painted black. Three sides of upper portion of the tower are covered by a slatted daymark, painted white with a black vertical stripe on each side. Vaarandi has a 2009 photo, but the tower is not seen in Bing's satellite view. It appears that this tower never carried a light. The tower is now used for communications, including cellphone links. Located 2.8 km (1.75 mi) southeast of Cape Lohusalu, near the village of Laulasmaa. Site status unknown. EMA 378.

Harku Parish Lighthouses

** 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. Rene Jakobson's photo is at the top of this page, Reijnen has a fine photo, Trabas has the EMA photo, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Bing 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 round watch room was added in 1951, and the present lantern was new in 1998. This is a landfall light for Tallinn, and it also serves as the rear light of a westbound range. 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, visible only on or close to the range line. 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 outside to the windowsill. Rene Jakobson has a closeup, Reijnen has a 2006 photo, Otto de Voogd has a good photo, Trabas has a photo, and Bing has a satellite view. A miraculous survivor of two world wars and over 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, increasing the tower height by 3.5 m (11.5 ft). The range guides vessels departing Tallinn through the channel south of the island of Naissaar. 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 Lighthouses Note: Naissaar (Nargö in Swedish) is an island in the Gulf of Finland about 12 km (7.5 mi) northwest of Tallinn. The island is governed as part of Viimsi Parish. * Naissaar {Nargö, Nargen} (5) 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. Vaarandi's photo is at right, Trabas has an excellent photo by Klaus Kern, Uku Praks has a 2008 closeup, another photo is available, and Bing has a good satellite view. The original wood lighthouse was replaced in 1805. Forand has a historic postcard view of the third (1849) lighthouse, a 38 m (125 ft) stone tower destroyed during World War II, and Huelse has a second postcard view. The present tower replaced a 38 m (125 ft) wooden temporary tower built in 1946. The island is strategically important for control of the Gulf, so it has been heavily fortified since at least 1710. 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) (2) 1954 (station established 1788). 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 and a second photo are available, and a Bing satellite view shows the shadow of the tower. Wood lighthouses were built at both ends of Naisaar in 1788, but the southern light was replaced by a rescue station in 1849, and there was no light until 1954. Located at the southeastern tip of Naissaar. Site manager: Naissaare Loduspark (Nature Park). EMA 310; Admiralty C3794; NGA 12776.

Naissaar Light, Naissaar, August 2006 Wikimedia Creative Commons photo by Sven Vaarandi

Tallinn City Lighthouses

* Kopli Laht (Kopli Bay) Range Rear

1971. Active; focal plane 20 m (66 ft); red light, 2 s on , 2 s off. 15 m (49 ft) square cylindrical skeletal tower, painted black. The tower carries a rectangular slatted daymark painted white with a red vertical stripe. Vaarandi has a 2010 photo, and Bing has a satellite view. The front light is on a steel post. Kopli Bay is on the west side of the Valjasaar peninsula. Located at the southeastern end of the bay, about 5 km (3 mi) southwest of Tallinn's waterfront. Site open, tower closed. EMA 356; Admiralty C3799.1; NGA 12781.1.

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. Trabas has a closeup by Klaus Kern, and a 1996 closeup is available. 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.

* Paljassaare (New Fishing Harbor) Range Front

1971. Active; focal plane 28 m (92 ft); red light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 25 m (82 ft) square cylindrical skeletal tower, painted red. The tower carries a diamond-shaped slatted daymark, painted white with a red vertical stripe. Bing has a satellite view. Located on the waterfront of the harbor, at the west end of the Tallinn docks. Site open, tower closed. EMA 281; Admiralty C3837; NGA 12864.

* Paljassaare (New Fishing Harbor) Range Rear 1971. Active; focal plane 38 m (125 ft); red light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 34 m (112 ft) square cylindrical skeletal tower, painted black. The tower carries a diamond-shaped slatted daymark, painted white with a red vertical stripe. Bing has a satellite view. Located beside Paljassaare Street at the rear of the harbor. Site open, tower closed. EMA 282; Admiralty C3837.1; NGA 12868. * [Oleviste Kirik (St. Olaf's Church)] This church with its immensely tall steeple never had a light, but since the 14th century it has been one of the best known daybeacons of northern Europe. A 2009 photo is available, and Bing has a satellite view. Often struck by lightning, the church has burned and been rebuilt several times. Following the most recent renovation, in 1931, the church has a height of 123.7 m (406 ft). At its tallest, from 1549 to 1625, it had a height of 159 m (522 ft), and it is believed to have been the tallest building in the world during that period. Located in downtown Tallinn. Site and church open, tower closed. * Tallinn {Reval, Katharinenthal} Range Front 1806. 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 there are lights mounted on a balcony railing; however, there is also a 6th order Fresnel lens inside that provides the main light. Trabas has a photo by Klaus Kern, Vaarandi has a 2008 photo, Werner Vogels also has a 2008 photo, Reijnen has a view from the rear light, Estonian Wikipedia has an article and photo, and Bing has a satellite view. The range guides ships approaching Tallinn in the main channel from the northwest. The pyramidal tower was added in 1839. 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. A photo is at right, Reijnen has a good photo, Liis Roden has a 2007 photo, and Bing 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.

Tallinn Range Rear Light, Tallinn, September 2012 Wikimedia Creative Commons photo by Mona-Mia

Tallinnamadal {Revalstein} 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. Trabas has EMA's photo (also seen at right), and another photo is available. This colorful modern lighthouse marks the dangerous Tallinn Shoal (Tallinnamadal) about 32 km (20 mi) north of the Tallinn waterfront. The shoal was marked by a series of lightships from 1858 until 1950 and then by a buoy until the lighthouse was completed. 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. * 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. Trabas has Klaus Kern's photo, and Bing 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. Bing 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 Parish Mainland Lighthouses Note: Viimsi Parish includes the northern portion of the Viimsi Peninsula and a number of islands in the Gulf of Finland, including Naissaar (see above) and Prangli (see below). * Miiduranna Range Front 1997. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); two green flashes every 3 s. 11 m (36 ft) short skeletal tower mounted atop a 2-story building. The light tower also carries a slatted daymark painted white with a black vertical stripe. Google has a satellite view. The Miidurana harbor is on the west side of the Viimsi peninsula a short distance south of the Viimsi range lights. Located on the waterfront. Site open, tower closed. EMA 233; Admiralty C3841.9; NGA 12874.

Tallinnamadal Light, Gulf of Finland Estonian Maritime Administration photo

* Miiduranna Range Rear

1997. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); green light occulting once every 5 s. 12 m (39 ft) light mounted atop a 3-story building. Google has a satellite view. Located 185 m (600 ft) northeast of the front light. Site open, tower closed. EMA 234; Admiralty C3841.91; NGA 12874.1.

* 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. EMA 231; 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. Trabas has EMA's photo (also seen at right), Vaarandi has another excellent photo, and Bing has a satellite view. 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. Aegna {Wulf} (5?) 2008 (station established 1856). Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); flash every 4 s, white or red depending on direction. 12.5 m (41 ft) post, the upper 2/3 surrounded by a large rectangular slatted daymark. Daymark and top of the post painted yellow, base of the post red. A 2011 photo is available, and Bing has a satellite view. Trabas has an EMA photo of the 1995 light, which was taller (focal plane 22 m (72 ft)). Located at the end of the dangerous Aegna Reef, which extends northward from the end of the Viimsi Peninsula. In the past, there were a number of pyramidal wood beacons in the area, and a photo by Vaarandi shows that at least one has been either preserved or rebuilt. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. EMA 220; Admiralty C3806; NGA 12788. Karbimadal (Range Front) 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 metal 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. Trabas has a different EMA photo, and Bing has a satellite view. 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.

Viimsi Range Rear Light, Viimsi Estonian Maritime Administration photo

* Tammneeme (Range Rear)

1986. Inactive since 2003 and delisted as a daybeacon in 2011. 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. Vaarandi has a 2007 photo of the abandoned and rusting lighthouse, and Bing has a satellite view. This tower was the rear light of a range, the front light being on the Karbimadal lighthouse. EMA dropped its listing of the tower as a daymark in 2011. 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; ex-EMA 192; ex-Admiralty C3851.21; ex-NGA 12885.1.

* 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. The light is centered in a Bing satellite view. Located on the waterfront in Muuga, near a petroleum tank farm. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-034; EMA 181; 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 tapered 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. Vaarandi has a 2008 photo, and Bing has a satellite view. Located in Muuga, 500 m (0.3 mi) south southwest of the front light. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-035; EMA 182; Admiralty C3854.1; NGA 12879.2.

Prangli Area Lighthouses

Note: Prangli is an island in the Gulf of Finland about 15 km (9 mi) northeast of the Viimsi peninsula. The island was settled by Swedes, who called it Vrangö; today it has a small Estonian population and is accessible by passenger ferry from Leppneeme on the northwest side of the Viimsi peninsula. Prangli is governed as part of Viimsi Parish. 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. Vaarandi's 2007 photo is at right, Richard Simso has a photo of the station, a view from the sea is available, Trabas has an older EMA photo, Forand has a historic postcard view, and Bing has a satellite view. 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. Endangered by rising sea levels: in 1987 a large section of the stone veneer on the northeast side of the base collapsed from wave action; a photo shows this damage. It's not known if the tower has 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. * Prangli {Wrangelsholm, Prangel, Wrangö} Northwest 1923. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); four quick white flashes every 15 s. 13 m (43 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with a small gallery but no lantern. Lighthouse painted white. Vaarandi has a good 2009 photo, Trabas has a photo by Klaus Kern, and Bing has a satellite view. This light was renovated in 2008; Vaarandi has a photo showing the construction in progress. 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. Trabas has Klaus Kern's photo, and Bing has a satellite view. The daymark is in poor condition in a 2004 photo. Located at the southeastern tip of the island. Site open, tower closed. EMA 165; Admiralty C3850; NGA 12884. Aksi (Väike Prangli) 1986. Reactivated (inactive ca. 1998-2007). 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. Estonian Wikipedia has an article with a good photo, and Bing has a satellite view. Aksi is a small island southeast of Prangli, from which it is separated by the narrow Aksi Salm. After being out of service for about a decade, the light was reactivated sometime in late 2007 or early 2008. Accessible only by boat; there should be a distant view from the Prangli ferry. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-081; EMA 175; Admiralty C3850.5; NGA 12900.5.

Keri Light, Prangli, 2007 Panoramio Creative Commons photo by Sven Vaarandi

Jõelähtme Parish Lighthouses

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. Estonian Wikipedia has an article with a good photo by Jaan Rebane, Vaarandi has a 2008 photo, and Bing has a satellite view. Located on a hill east of the Muuga harbor facilities. Site status unknown. ARLHS EST-024; EMA 145; Admiralty C3851.5.

* 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. Estonian Wikipedia has an article with a good photo, Vaarandi has a 2008 photo, and Bing has a satellite view. Located in Kallevere, about 1.35 km (0.85 mi) south of the front light. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS EST-025; EMA 146; Admiralty C3851.51. * Ihasalu (Neeme) 1938. Inactive since around 1990. 9.5 m (31 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery painted white. The lighthouse is abandoned and falling into ruin, as seen in Vaarandi's 2007 closeup. Another of Vaarandi's photos is at right, another good photo is available, and Bing has a distant satellite view. Located on a sandy point about 1.5 km (1 mi) northwest of Neeme. Site open, tower closed. ex-Admiralty C3856. * Neeme (Ihasalu) Range Rear (?) Date unknown. Approx. 30 m (98 ft) round metal tower with gallery, now covered with rust. Vaarandi has a 2006 photo, but the tower is not revealed in Google's satellite view. This appears to be a Soviet-era range lighthouse, but no evidence has been found that it was ever lit. More information is needed. Located in Neeme. Site open, tower closed. * Rammu Range Front (?) Date unknown. Approx. 14 m (46 ft) post light; the upper 2/3 of the tower is surrounded by a hexagonal (?) daymark. Kelav Kevad has a photo, and Bing has a distant satellite view. This appears to be a Soviet-era range lighthouse, but no evidence has been found that it was ever lit. More information is needed. Located on the southern point of Rammu, an uninhabited island about 8 km (5 mi) northeast of Neeme. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed.

Ihasalu Light, Neeme, September 2007 Panoramio Creative Commons photo by Sven Vaarandi

* Rammu Range Rear (?)

Date unknown. Approx. 30 m (98 ft) round metal tower with gallery, now covered with rust. Uku Praks has a 2012 photo, a 2009 photo by Kelav Kevad is available, and Bing has a satellite view. This appears to be a Soviet-era range lighthouse, but no evidence has been found that it was ever lit. More information is needed. Located on the east coast of Rammu. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed.

Kuusalu Parish Lighthouses

* Juminda (2) 1937 (station established 1931). Active; focal plane 40 m (131 ft); white light, 3 s on, 2 s off, 3 s on, 7 s off. 32 m (105 ft) slender round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and double gallery. Upper portion of the lighthouse painted red, lower half white. Trabas has a photo by Klaus Kern, and Bing has a satellite view. Lighthouse Explorer has EMA's photo of the original lighthouse, which had a height of 24 m (79 ft). The upper (red) stage of the tower was added in 2006; Vaarandi's 2007 photo shows the extension. 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. Hara (2) 1909. Inactive since the late 1980s, but still listed as a daybeacon (surrounding trees must limit its usefulness). Skeletal tower with lantern and gallery; lantern painted white with a red roof. Endangered. Vaarandi has a 2008 photo showing the deterioration of the tower. The tower is not conspicuous in Bing's satellite view. The tower was increased in height in 1954. Located on an island off the southeastern base of the Juminda peninsula. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ex-Admiralty C3862; EMA 115. 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. Ivo Kruusamägi's photo is at right, a 2012 photo is available, Vaarandi has a 2008 photo, another good photo is available, Lighthouse Explorer has an older EMA photo, Huelse has a historic postcard view, Forand has a different postcard view, and Bing 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.

Mohni Light, Vilnistu, August 2007 Wikimedia Creative Commons photo by Ivo Kruusamägi

Information available on lost lighthouses:

• Prangli South (1920s-World War II). This was a 17 m (56 ft) round concrete tower; it was not replaced after the war.

Notable faux lighthouses:

Adjoining pages: North: Gulf of Finland Islands | East: Eastern Estonia | West: Northwestern Estonia

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Posted May 1, 2005. Checked and revised March 7, 2013. Lighthouses: 44. Site copyright 2013 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.