Lighthouses of Latvia

Latvia faces west on the Baltic Sea and north on the Gulf of Rīga, an elliptical basin connected to the Baltic by the Irbe Strait. The western part of the country occupies a broad peninsula between the Gulf and the Baltic, an area that was included in the independent Duchy of Courland (Kurzeme in Latvian) during the 17th and 18th centuries. Rīga and the east coast of the Gulf was part of Swedish Livonia during the 17th century.

The Russian Empire annexed Swedish Livonia in 1710 and Courland in 1795. Latvia remained part of the Russian Empire 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. The older Latvian lighthouses (including the Slitere Light shown at right) 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 {}.

The Latvian word for a lighthouse is bāka ("beacon"). Lighthouses in Latvia are monitored and regulated by the Latvian Maritime Administration (Latvijas jūras administrācija) but are actually operated by the local port authorities in Liepāja, Ventspils and Rīga.

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.

General Sources
Lighthouse in Latvia
Information in English posted by the Latvian travel site Vietas.lv.
Leuchttürme der ehemaligen deutschen Ostgebiete
Postcard views of historical German lighthouses on the Baltic coast, posted by Klaus Huelse.


Slītere Light, June 2007
Creative Commons photo by Kathleen Bennett
Liepāja Area 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 Google has a satellite view. 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 is 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, a 2008 photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a headland near Bernati, about 11 km (7 mi) south of Liepāja. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS LAT-003; Admiralty C3390; NGA 12056.
* Liepāja {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. Alex Trabas has posted a photo, a fine 2008 photo is available, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. Liepāja 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 Liepāja. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS LAT-008; Admiralty C3396; NGA 12060.
Liepāja South Entrance Range Front
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 33 m (108 ft); white light, 1 s on, 1 s off, visible only on the range line. 30 m (98 ft) square cylindrical skeletal tower. The tower has a rectangular slatted daymark, painted white with a black vertical stripe. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located on a pier across the river from the historic lighthouse. Site status unknown. Admiralty C3397; NGA 12069.
Liepāja South Entrance Range Rear
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 49 m (161 ft); white light, 1 s on, 1 s off, visible only on the range line. 40 m (131 ft) square cylindrical skeletal tower. The tower has a rectangular slatted daymark, painted white with a black vertical stripe. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located on the waterfront 422 m (1/4 mi) east southeast of the front light. Site status unknown. Admiralty C3397.1; NGA 12069.1.
Liepāja Middle Entrance Range Front
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 21 m (69 ft); white light, 1.5 s on, 1.5 s off. 20 m (66 ft) square skeletal tower with gallery. The tower carries a large rectangular slatted daymark painted white with a black vertical stripe on the range line. The lighthouse is at the left edge of a photo, and Google has a good satellite view. Located offshore on the south side of the entrance to the Karostas Kanal, about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) north of the historic lighthouse. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Admiralty C3396.2; NGA 12064.

Pape Lighthouse
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 portfolio of photos and a good 2008 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 Liepāja. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS LAT-002; Admiralty C3442; NGA 12120.

Ventspils Area Lighthouses
* Užava {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. A photo is at right, a 2008 photo is available, and 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. S. Melkon has a fine 2007 photo, a 2008 photo is available, and Huelse has an old postcard view showing the pilot tower amid dunes. It is not known if the building is still used as a pilot house. Located on the south side of the Venta River east of the foot of the south mole. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: unknown.
Vkhodoy Range Front
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 28 m (92 ft); red light, 1.5 s on, 1.5 s off. 25 m (82 ft) square cylindrical skeletal tower with gallery. The tower is seen at the far right of a photo also showing the Pilot Tower. This is one of half a dozen tall range towers guiding vessels into Ventspils. Located on the south side of the Venta River east of the Pilot Tower. Site status unknown. Admiralty C3450; NGA 12148.
* 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. A closeup photo of the present lighthouse is available, and S. Melkon has a good 2007 photo. Huelse has a postcard view of the original lighthouse, which was probably lost during World War II. 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 mol; accessible by walking the pier. 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. Mikael Kratz has a view from the harbor entrance, Vyacheslav Korolev has a view from the south mole, and the lighthouse is seen in the distance in a photo of the south mole light. Located at the end of the south mole; the lack of closeup photos suggests this pier may not be open to the public. Site status unknown. ARLHS LAT-032; Admiralty C3451; NGA 12156.

Užava Light, June 2004
anonymous Creative Commons photo
Busnieku
Date unknown. Reported 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.

Irbe Strait (Irbes Šaurums) Lighthouses
Note: The Irbe Strait, the broad passage connecting the Gulf of Rīga to the Baltic Sea, forms part of the border between Latvia and Estonia. The strait is 27 km (17 mi) wide at its narrowest point, but it is relatively shallow. The dredged channel for large ships is close to the Latvian shore, so it falls under Latvia administration.
* Oviši (Ovišrags, 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 good 2008 photo and a 2004 photo are available. This historic lighthouse, the oldest active light in Latvia, marks the southern entrance to the Irbe 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 (Irbe 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.
** Miķeļbāka (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 photo is at right, Aldis Putelis has a good 2003 closeup and a more distant view, 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.
**** Slītere
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 good 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 Slītere 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: Slītere National Park. ARLHS LAT-015; Admiralty C3477.

Miķeļbāka Light, May 2008
GNU Free Documentation licensed photo
all other rights reserved
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, a closeup and a distant view from the mainland are available, and Huelse has a historic postcard view. The lighthouse guides ships around the dangerous Kolkasrags (Cape Kolka), at the eastern entrance to the Irbe Strait from the Gulf of Rīga. 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.

West Side Gulf of Rīga Lighthouses
* Ģipka
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. A good photo is available, and J. Sedois has a second photo. Located near the waterfront in Ģipka. 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 Rīga. 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. No photo available. Located on the southeast side of the harbor at Roja. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C3489; NGA 12224.
*** Mērsrags {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 photo is at right. This light guards a prominent cape about halfway between Cape Kolka and the city of Rīga. Prefabricated in France, the lighthouse was encased in concrete after being badly damaged during World War I. Huelse has a postcard view of the lighthouse before the reconstruction. Located about 6 km (4 mi) northeast of the town of Mērsrags. Site open; tower open for climbing but we have no information on the schedule. ARLHS LAT-009; Admiralty C3494; NGA 12228.
* Mērsrags Inner Range Front
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); yellow light, 1.5 s on, 1.5 s off. 10 m (33 ft) square pyramidal skeletal tower mounted on a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Tower painted red with a white vertical stripe on the range line. A closeup photo is available. The rear light is probably similar. Located on the north side of the harbor at the west end. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C3495; NGA 12229.
* 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. A red slatted daymark surrounds all sides of the upper portion of the square tower. Dmitry Zakharov has a photo, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. A photo is also available showing an older light tower some distance southeast of the present light. Located on a broadly rounded point bend of the coast on the southwest shore of the Gulf of Rīga 1.2 km (3/4 mi) north of Ragaciems. Site appears open, tower closed. ARLHS LAT-025; Admiralty C3502; NGA 12252.

Mērsrags Light, April 2008
GNU Free Documentation licensed photo; all other rights reserved

Rīga Area Lighthouses
* Bulli (Lielupi)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 36 m (118 ft); white light, 1.5 s on, 3.5 s off. 28 m (92 ft) square cylindrical skeletal tower with gallery. The upper 3/4 of the tower is covered by a slatted daymark; the upper half of the daymark is painted red and the lower half white. Ruslan Nekrasov has a photo, a 2009 photo is available, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located just off the beach at the end of 29th Street, about 13 km (8 mi) northwest of Rīga. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS LAT-019; Admiralty C3503; NGA 12256.
* Daugavgrīva (Bolderāja) {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 and a 2009 photo are available, and Google has a satellite view. Latvia's oldest light station is the landfall light for Rīga, 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 Rīga harbor. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS LAT-004; Admiralty C3526; NGA 12272.
* [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, Denis Khrutskiy has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the east mole at the Daugava River entrance, opposite the Daugavgrīva 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 square window. Google has a satellite view. This is a northbound (downstream) range guiding vessels leaving Rīga. Located on Atlantuas Iela at 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.
Daugavgriva Light
Daugavgrīva Light, August 2005
anonymous Creative Commons photo
* 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 2007 photo and another closeup photo are available, and Google has a satellite view. This little lighthouse was formerly at the end of the east mole at the Daugava River entrance, opposite the Daugavgrīva lighthouse. The lighthouse has been relocated to Rīga, where it stands in Kronvalda Park near the Free Port. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: City of Rīga. ARLHS LAT-031.

East Side Gulf of Rīga Lighthouses
* Ķurmrags
1920s? Inactive. 12 m (40 ft) square skeletal tower mounted on a square pyramidal stone base. A June 2005 photo is available. Now in the surf, the abandoned lighthouse is is likely to be destroyed by the sea. A November 2007 photo shows the tower leaning ominously. Located at the village of Ķurmrags on the east coast of the Gulf of Rīga about 40 km (25 mi) south of Ainazi.
* Vitrupe (Grintals) {Witterbeck}
Date unknown. Acive; focal plane 34 m (111 ft); red flash every 4 s. 21 m (69 ft) square cylindrical skeletal tower with gallery and a small lantern, painted red. The tower is enclosed by a slatted daymark, painted white with a broad black band at the top. A 2007 photo and a closeup are available. Located on a promontory near Vitrupe, about 25 km (15 mi) south of Ainazi. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS LAT-022; Admiralty C3585; NGA 12436.
* [Ainaži 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 Ainaži Naval School. A photo is available (1/3 the way down the page). Site open, tower closed.
* Ainaži {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. 1-1/2 story wood keeper's house collapsing into ruins. A photo is at right. 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 Ainaži, a town on the east coast of the Gulf of Rīga close to the Estonian border, about 125 km (80 mi) north of Rīga. Site status unknown. ARLHS LAT-001; Admiralty C3590; NGA 12448.

Ainaizi Light, July 2007
anonymous Creative Commons photo

Information available on lost lighthouses:

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Notable faux lighthouses:

 

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Posted April 25, 2005. Check and revised May 18, 2009. Lighthouses: 31. Site copyright 2009 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.