Lighthouses of Latvia

Latvia faces west on the Baltic Sea and north on the Gulf of Riga, an elliptical basin connected to the Baltic by the Irbensky Strait. The country 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. Internationally, most locations on the coast of Latvia were known by their German names prior to World War I; these German names for the older lighthouses are shown in curly brackets {}. Lighthouses in Latvia are monitored and regulated by the Latvian Hydrographic Service (LHS) but are actually operated by the local port authorities in Liepaja, Ventspils and Riga. In Latvian, a lighthouse is a "beacon," baka. ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. Light List 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 Industrial Heritage in Latvia - Lighthouses Photos of eight of the historic towers. The Lighthouses Russian-language web site for Latvian lighthouses posted by Travelzone.lv.

Slitere Light; UNESCO photo

Baltic Coast Lighthouses

* Pape {Pappenze} 1890. Active; focal plane 26 m (85 ft); white light, 1.5 s on, 2 s off. 22 m (72 ft) square pyramidal skeletal tower with central cylinder, lantern, and double gallery. Tower painted white, lantern and galleries red. The 1-story keeper's house appears to be in poor condition. Bronius Sriubas contributed the photo at right, Quinn Solomon has posted a good 2006 photo, and another photo is available. This lighthouse is similar to many skeletal lighthouses in the U.S., but its design is quite unusual for northern Europe. The lighthouse is endangered by beach erosion, and concrete barriers have been placed in front of it to deflect the waves. The surrounding area of dunes and wetlands has recently been recognized for its ecological importance and is a popular destination for birders. Located just off the beach about 20 km (13 mi) east of Rucava and 8 km (5 mi) north of the Lithuanian border. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS LAT-012; Admiralty C3386; NGA 12052. * Bernati Date unknown. Active; focal plane 41 m (135 ft); white light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 21 m (69 ft) square cylindrical steel skeletal tower with lantern and gallery. Lantern painted red, and the upper half of the tower carries a slatted daymark also painted red. Bronius Sriubas has contributed a photo. Located on a headland near Bernati, about 11 km (7 mi) south of Liepaja. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS LAT-003; Admiralty C3390; NGA 12056. * Liepaja {Libau} 1868. Active; focal plane 32 m (105 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 33 m (108 ft) round cast iron tower with lantern and gallery, painted with red and white horizontal bands. A recent photo is available, and Klaus Huelse has posted a historic image. Liepaja is Latvia's principal port on the Baltic; before World War I it was an important base for the Russian Navy. Located on the foot of the south breakwater in Liepaja. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS LAT-008; Admiralty C3396; NGA 12060.

Pape Light, summer 2007 photo copyright Bronius Sriubas used by permission

* Akmenrags (Stone Cape) {Steinort} (4)

1921 (station established 1879). Active; focal plane 38 m (125 ft); two white flashes, separated by 2.5 s, every 7.5 s. 38 m (125 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse painted red. A 2006 photo and another good photo are available. This station marks a prominent cape, where the trend of the Baltic coast changes from north toward the northeast. The original, temporary light was replaced by a 28 m (92 ft) wood tower in 1889. The present lighthouse replaced the 1911 stone tower, which was destroyed during World War I. Located on a cape about 35 km (22 mi) north of Liepaja. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS LAT-002; Admiralty C3442; NGA 12120.

* Uzava {Backofen} (3)

1925 (station established 1879). Active; focal plane 44 m (144 ft); white light, 1.5 s on, 2.5 s off, 1.5 s on, 4.5 s off. 19 m (62 ft) round cylindrical stone tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on an octagonal stone base and attached to a 1-story keeper's house. Buildings painted white. An excellent 2004 photo and another closeup photo are available, and Klaus Huelse has posted a historic postcard view in which the tower is red with a single white band. The original lighthouse was heavily damaged during World War I and had to be largely rebuilt; a temporary light was used until this project was completed. Located on a headland about 24 km (15 mi) southwest of Ventspils. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS LAT-016; Admiralty C3448; NGA 12140.

* Ventspils {Windau} Locu Tornis (Pilot Tower)

1934. Inactive. 20 m (66 ft) white octagonal cylindrical tower with gallery but no lantern, attached to a small 1-story office building. The top of the tower appears to be an observation platform, and there is no evidence the tower ever had a lantern. The light was displayed at a focal plane of 13.5 m (44 ft), indicating that it was mounted on the outside of the tower somewhere below the gallery. Klaus Huelse has an old postcard view showing the pilot tower amid dunes. There is another modern photo of the tower also showing dunes. It is not known if the building is still used as a pilot house. Located on the south side of the Venta east of the foot of the south mole. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: unknown.

* Ventspils {Windau} South Mole (2)

1970 (station established 1870). Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); two green flashes every 3 s. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Tower is white; lantern and gallery painted green. An aerial photo of the harbor and a closeup photo of the lighthouse are available. Ventspils is an important port at the mouth of the Venta River; the two curved moles protect the river entrance. Located at the end of the south mole. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS LAT-033; Admiralty C3452; NGA 12160.

* Ventspils {Windau} North Mole (2)

1970 (station established 1870). Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); two red flashes every 3 s. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Tower is white; lantern and gallery painted green. Ventspils is an important port at the mouth of the Venta River; the two curved moles protect the river entrance. An aerial photo of the harbor is available, and the lighthouse is seen in the distance in a photo of the south mole light. Located at the end of the south mole. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS LAT-032; Admiralty C3451; NGA 12156.

Busnieku

Date unknown. Inactive since 1997. 26 m (85 ft) pyramidal tower, painted white with red horizontal bands. No photo and no further information available. Located roughly 10 km (6 mi) northeast of Ventspils. Site status unknown. ARLHS LAT-020.

Irbensky Strait (Irves Saurums) Lighthouses
* Ovisi (Ovisrags, Cape Ovisi) {Lyser Ort}

1844 (substantially rebuilt in 1860). Active; focal plane 38 m (125 ft); white light, 3 s on, 4.5 s off. 33 m (109 ft) round old-style stone tower with lantern and gallery, incorporating keeper's quarters. Entire structure painted white. A closeup photo is available. This historic lighthouse, the oldest active light in Latvia, marks the southern entrance to the Irbensky Strait from the Baltic. The German name Lyser Ort is derived from a Swedish word meaning "to shine." Located about 30 km (20 mi) northeast of Ventspils. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS LAT-011; Admiralty C3470; NGA 12192.

Irbe (Irbensky Strait) 1985. Active; focal plane 35 m (115 ft); white flash every 10 s. 37 m (125 ft) wave-swept round cylindrical concrete and steel tower with a large circular watch room and three galleries, surmounted by a helipad and mounted on a caisson. Watch room painted red, upper half of tower white with narrow red horizontal bands, lower part of tower black. This modern lighthouse was prefabricated by the GT Corporation, which has posted an excellent photo of the completed structure. Construction required five years. Although this Soviet lighthouse is now in Latvian territorial waters, it is maintained by Estonia under an agreement between the two countries. Located in the strait about 20 km (12 mi) north of Ovisi. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Site manager: Estonian Maritime Administration. ARLHS LAT-023; Admiralty C3474; NGA 12194. ** Mikelbaka (Mikeltornis) {Pissen} (4) 1956 (station established 1885). Active; focal plane 59 m (194 ft); two white flashes every 6 s. 56 m (184 ft) round cylindrical concrete block tower with lantern and double gallery, rising from a 2-story octagonal pyramidal base. Lighthouse painted white; lantern roof and gallery rail painted red. Keeper's house occupied by a resident caretaker. A good 2003 closeup is available, and the lighthouse appears on a Latvian postage stamp. This is the tallest lighthouse in Latvia, or indeed in any of the three Baltic republics. The original lighthouse was patched up after being damaged in World war I, but it had to be demolished in 1932. Its replacement was destroyed during World War II and replaced in 1946 by a temporary wood tower. Located just off the coastal P124 highway about 12 km (7.5 mi) west of Lielirbe. Site open; it is reported that the caretaker will give tours of the tower. ARLHS LAT-010; Admiralty C3476; NGA 12196.

Irbe Light Latvian Hydrographic Service photo

 **** Slitere

1849 (not lit until 1961). Inactive since 1999. 24 m (79 ft) round old-style stone tower with lantern and gallery, incorporating keeper's quarters. Entire structure painted red with white trim. A photo is at the top of this page, and another closeup photo is available. Very similar in design to Ovisi Light, both towers representing an old style Russian lighthouse plan. This tower, built originally as a daymark, is atop a high hill with a focal plane height of 82 m (269 ft). From the gallery one can sometimes see across the strait to the Sõrve lighthouse on the Estonian island of Saaremaa. The lighthouse is now incorporated in Slitere National Park and has been restored and open to the public since 2002. There is a museum in the tower with exhibits on Latvian lighthouses. Located about 10 km (6 mi) west southwest of Cape Kolka. Site open; tower open, but no information is available on the schedule. Site manager: Slitere National Park. ARLHS LAT-015; Admiralty C3477.

Kolka {Domesnäs} (2)

1884 (station established 1875). Active; focal plane 20 m (66 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 21 m (69 ft) round stone tower with lantern and double gallery, all painted red; lantern dome is black. Keeper's house and other light station buildings enclosed by an octagonal seawall. Amateur radio operator VK2CE has posted a good photo. The lighthouse guides ships around the dangerous Kolkasrags (Cape Kolka), at the eastern entrance to the Irbensky Strait from the Gulf of Riga. The danger is so great that a lightship station was established in 1858 and a temporary lighthouse was lit in 1875, well before completion of the permanent tower. The seawall protecting the station was replaced in 1976-78. Located on a small artificial island 6 m (3.75 mi) northeast of the cape. Accessible only by boat; there must be distant views from the cape area. Site and tower closed. ARLHS LAT-006; Admiralty C3478; NGA 12212.

Gulf of Riga Lighthouses
* [Melnsils]

Date unknown. Never lit, as far as we know. Approx. 23 m (75 ft) round cylindrical masonry tower. The history of this tower is not known; apparently it was built as a daymark, like the Slitere tower. Located at Melnsils, a town about 7 km (4 mi) south of Kolka. Site status unknown.

* Gipka

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 37 m (121 ft); white light, 2 s on, 4 s off. 30 m (98 ft) square cylindrical steel skeletal tower. The upper 12 m (39 ft) of the tower is enclosed by a large slatted daymark; the upper 2/3 of the daymark is painted red and the lower 1/3 white. Located near the waterfront in Gipka. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS LAT-021; Admiralty C3486; NGA 12216.

* Roja {Roign} Range Rear

1913. Inactive since about 2000. 24 m (79 ft) round concrete tower. No photo and no further information available. The range has been replaced by a directional light (focal plane 24 m (79 ft); continuous white, red, or green light, depending on direction) on a 20 m (66 ft) square skeletal tower (probably the original front range tower). Located at Roja, a small port on the west side of the Gulf of Riga. Site status unknown. ARLHS LAT-013.

* Roja

Around 2000? Active; focal plane 20 m (66 ft); continuous light, white, red or green depending on direction. 19 m (62 ft) square cylindrical skeletal tower, painted red. A small equipment shelter stands beside the tower. Located on the southeast side of the harbor at Roja. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C3489; NGA 12224.

*** Mersrags {Markgrafen} 1875 (reconstructed in 1922). Active; focal plane 26 m (85 ft); white flash every 5 s. 19 m (62 ft) round cast iron tower, encased in concrete, with lantern and gallery, supported by eight broad buttresses. Lighthouse painted white with red trim. A closeup photo is available. This light guards a prominent cape about halfway between Cape Kolka and the city of Riga. Prefabricated in France, the lighthouse was encased in concrete after being badly damaged during World War I. Located about 6 km (4 mi) northeast of the town of Mersrags. Site open; tower open for climbing but we have no information on the schedule. ARLHS LAT-009; Admiralty C3494; NGA 12228. * Ragaciems Date unknown. Active; focal plane 37 m (121 ft); white light, 1 s on, 1 s off. 30 m (98 ft) tower, comprised of a square tower topped by a skeletal mast. Described by NGA as a "metal framework structure" with a red square daymark, this light appears to be enclosed. Located on a point of land on the southwest shore of the Gulf of Riga 1.2 km (3/4 mi) north of Ragaciems. Site appears open, tower closed. ARLHS LAT-025; Admiralty C3502; NGA 12252. * Daugavgriva {Dünamünde} (7?) 1957 (station established at least by 1721). Active; focal plane 37 m (121 ft); white flash every 2.5 s. 35 m (155 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted with black and white horizontal bands; lantern painted black with a red roof. An excellent photo is available. Latvia's oldest light station is the landfall light for Riga, the nation's capital and principal seaport. The station has a long and complex history. Lights were shown here from at least 1536, and a masonry tower was in regular service by 1721. A 30 m (98 ft) octagonal tower was built in 1819 and discontinued in 1854. A conical cast iron tower, installed in 1863, was destroyed in World War I, and the concrete replacement built in 1921 was destroyed in World War II. Located on the west side of the entrance to the Daugava River and Riga harbor. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS LAT-004; Admiralty C3526; NGA 12272.

Mersrags Light Municipality of Mersrags photo

* [Mangalsala Beacon (Daugava East Mole) (2)]

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); red flash every 3 s. 7 m (24 ft) round cylindrical tower with a small gallery but no lantern, painted red. A photo is available. Located at the end of the east mole at the Daugava River entrance, opposite the Daugavgriva lighthouse. Apparently accessible by walking the mole. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS LAT-030; Admiralty C3529; NGA 12288.

* Balta-Baznicas Range Rear

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 20 m (66 ft); yellow light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 18 m (59 ft) square stone church steeple; the light is shown through a window. Located on Atlantuas Iela, near the intersection of Balta-Baznicas Iela, in Mangali, on the east side of the Daugava. Site open, tower probably closed. ARLHS LAT-028; Admiralty C3547.2; NGA 12348.

* Mangalsala {Magnusholm} Beacon (Daugava East Mole) (1)

1863. Inactive. Approx. 8 m (26 ft) round cast iron tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. A closeup photo is available. This little lighthouse was formerly at the end of the east mole at the Daugava River entrance, opposite the Daugavgriva lighthouse. The lighthouse has been relocated to Riga, where it stands in a park near the Free Port. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: City of Riga. ARLHS LAT-031.

* Kurmrags

1920s? Inactive. 12 m (40 ft) square skeletal tower mounted on a square stone base. A June 2005 photo is available. Now in the surf, the abandoned lighthouse is is likely to be destroyed by the sea. Located at the village of Kurmragciems on the east coast of the Gulf of Riga about 40 km (25 mi) south of Ainazi.

* [Ainazi Breakwater (lantern)]

1908 (?). Inactive at least since 1986, when the lighthouse collapsed into the sea. The lantern was salvaged, restored, and mounted on display at the entrance to the Museum of the Ainazi Naval School. A photo is available. Site open, tower closed.

* Ainazi {Gainash, Hainasch} (2)

Date unknown (1930?) (station established 1920s). Active; focal plane 22 m (72 ft); white light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 18 m (59 ft) octagonal masonry tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with an orange vertical stripe; the stripe can be seen in a second photo (near the bottom of the page). The light was originally the rear light of a range, but the front light has been discontinued. Located at the intersection of Barona and Nakotnes streets in Ainazi, a town on the east coast of the Gulf of Riga close to the Estonian border, about 125 km (80 mi) north of Riga. Site status unknown. ARLHS LAT-001; Admiralty C3590; NGA 12448.

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

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Posted April 25, 2005. Check and revised April 19, 2007. Lighthouses: 24. Site copyright 2007 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.