Lighthouses of Norway: Eigersund Area (Southern Rogaland)

Norway is one of the world's most maritime nations. The country is long and narrow, with drowned valleys called fjords that bring the sea far inland in most regions. With such a lengthy and rocky shore, it's not surprising that Norway has a large number of lighthouses. This page lists lighthouses of the southern portion of Rogaland County, including the municipalities of Sokndal, Eigersund, Hå, Klepp, and Sola. Lighthouses of the Stavanger area to the north are on a separate page. Although it has always been considered a separate realm, Norway has only been independent since 1905; it was ruled by the Danish king until 1814 and then by the Swedish king until the Norwegian parliament arranged a peaceful separation of the two kingdoms. In Norway a lighthouse is simply called a fyr (fire). Aids to navigation are maintained by the Kystverket (Coast Directorate), an agency of the Fiskeri og Kystdepartementet (Fisheries and Coast Department). ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. NF numbers are from the Norsk Fyrliste. Admiralty numbers are from volume B of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA List numbers are from Publication 115. General Sources Norwegian Lighthouse Association (Norsk Fyrhistorisk Forening) With pages in both Norwegian and English, the Association's site provides photos and information on selected lighthouses. There is a page for the lighthouses of Rogaland. Online List of Lights - Norway Photos posted by Alexander Trabas; many of these photos were taken by Rainer Arndt, Michael Boucher, or Ronald Wöhrn. Lighthouse Pages from Anke and Jens - Norway Excellent photos of more than 60 Norwegian lighthouses. Lighthouses in the Eigersund Area Photos available from Wikimedia. Norwegische Leuchttürme auf historischen Postkarten Historic postcard images posted by Klaus Huelse. Liste over Norske Fyr From Norwegian Wikipedia, a handy list of Norwegian light stations with their dates of establishment.

Eigerøy Fyr, Eigersund, August 2008 Flickr Creative Commons photo by Falk Lademann

Sokndal Lighthouses

Vestre Kvalen

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 25 m (82 ft); white, red or green light depending on direction, 2 s on, 2 s off. 5 m (16 ft) square skeletal tower, covered with siding, with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white, lantern roof red. A photo is available, and Bing has a distant satellite view. Perched on a cliff at the north side of the entrance to the Jøssingfjord about 5 km (3 mi) southeast of Hauge. The site appears quite inaccessible except by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS NOR-406; NF-0913; Admiralty B3150; NGA 1900.

Alterodden

1895. Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); white, red or green light depending on direction, occulting once every 6 s. 4 m (13 ft) octagonal lantern mounted on a concrete pad. Jan Ernst Samuelsen has a closeup photo, and Bing has a distant satellite view. Lighthouse painted white with a red roof. Located on a promontory on the east side of the Rekefjord near the end of highway 40 about 8 km (5 mi) 5 km (3 mi) southwest of Hauge. The site may not be not accessible by land but there seem to be good views from nearby. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS NOR-324; NF-0921; Admiralty B3160; NGA 1924.

Lille Presteskjær (Lille Prestskjær)

1895. Active; focal plane 23 m (75 ft); three flashes every 12 s, three white flashes alternating with three red flashes. 21 m (69 ft) round cast iron tower with gallery, incorporating keeper's quarters, mounted on a circular stone base. The lantern was removed and discarded when the lighthouse was automated in 1973. Tower painted with red and white horizontal bands. Jan Ernst Samuelsen has a photo, Njørd Arne Sortland has a 2005 closeup, Geir Røsset has a distant view, and Bing has a satellite view. Huelse has a 1903 postcard view showing the original appearance of the light. The lighthouse was vacant until the Midtbø family leased it from the Kystverket in 2001. The family has refurbished the interior and the lighthouse is now available for vacation rental or private parties. In 2009, the Midtbøs installed a replica lantern, although the active light is still mounted on the outside of the tower. Located on the west side of the entrance to the Rekefjord about 5 km (3 mi) southwest of Hauge. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower open to guests. ARLHS NOR-156; NF-0920; Admiralty B3156; NGA 1920.

Eigersund Lighthouses

Svåholmene Date unknown. Active; focal plane 22 m (72 ft); white flash every 3 s. 14 m (46 ft) skeletal platform atop a round stone cairn. Erling Svensen has a dramatic photo of surf breaking against the light, and Google has a satellite view. Located off the small island Svåholmen, about 10 km (6 mi) southeast of Egersund. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. NF-0929; Admiralty B3172; NGA 1940. * Vibberodden (1) 1855. Inactive since 1977. 9 m (30 ft) square cylindrical wood tower with lantern and gallery, set into the front of a 1-1/2 story wood keeper's house. Building painted white, lantern and gallery red. This lighthouse marks the west side of the entrance to a narrow fjord leading to Egersund. The house has apparently been vacant since 1977. Johan Hackman's photo is at right, a view from the fjord is available, and Bing has a distant satellite view. The Norwegian Lighthouse Association web page has a note that the lighthouse has now been transferred to the local diving club; this must have occurred in late 2005 or early 2006. Located at the southeast point of Eigerøy about 8 km (5 mi) south of Eigersund by road. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS NOR-274. * Vibberodden (2) 1977 (station established 1855). Active (?); focal plane 22 m (72 ft); white, red or green light depending on direction, occulting once every 6 s. 8 m (26 ft) concrete post light with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white; lantern roof painted red. Located adjacent to the historic lighthouse. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS NOR-346; NF-0935; Admiralty B3176; NGA 1948.

Vibberodden Fyr, Eigersund, June 2008 Panoramio photo copyright Johan Hackman; all rights reserved; used by permission

** Eigerøy

1854. Active; focal plane 46 m (151 ft); three white flashes every 30 s. 33 m (108 ft) round cast iron tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 2-story service building. 1st order Fresnel lens in use. Lighthouse painted red with one white horizontal band. Falk Lademann's photo is at the top of this page, Wikimedia has Roar Johansen's photo, Anke and Jens have several good photos, S. Lommatzsch has a 2008 closeup, Trabas has posted a view from the sea by Ronald Wöhrn, and Bing has a satellite view. This was Norway's first cast iron lighthouse, and its success encouraged the building of many more on the Norwegian coastline. Automated in 1989, the lighthouse remains under the control of the Kystverket, which offers limited tours. Located on the southwestern tip of Eigerøy, about 12 km (7.5 mi) west of Egersund. Accessible by road. Site open, tower open for climbing on Sundays in July. ARLHS NOR-010; NF-0945; Admiralty B3184; NGA 1960.

Ruskodden

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); white, red or green light depending on direction, occulting twice every 8 s. 6 m (20 ft) lantern on a platform supported by four piles. Lantern painted white with a red roof, piles black. Sverre Ramdahl Ranum has a distant view, and Bing has a satellite view. Located at the northwestern tip of Eigerøy, marking the entrance to the Furasund. NF-0946; Admiralty B3186; NGA 1964.

Furasund (Grunnsundsholmen, Grunnesundsholmen) (2?)

1928(?) (station established 1855). Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); white, red or green light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 6 m (20 ft) square stone tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white; lantern roof is red. The 1-1/2 story wood house adjoining the lighthouse is the former keeper's house, but we need more information on the history of this station. Harry Wahlvåg has a photo, Sverre Ramdahl Ranum has a closeup, and Bing has a satellite view. Located on a small island in the Furasund, on the northwest side of Eigerøy. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS NOR-101; NF-0947; Admiralty B3188; NGA 1968.

Hå Lighthouses

Sirevåg

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 13.5 m (48 ft); green light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 5.5 m (18 ft) lantern mounted on a concrete stand. Lantern painted white with a red roof, stand black. A distant view is available (click on the photo for a closer view), and Bing has a distant satellite view. Located on a headland above the wharf area od Sirevåg. Site status unknown. NF-0979.01; Admiralty B3216; NGA 2048.

Rauna Date unknown. Active; focal plane 10.5 m (34 ft); white flash every 5 s. 8 m (26 ft) stone cairn topped by a white fiberglass beacon. 1-story keeper's cottage. Trabas has a Ronald Wöhrn's view from the sea, a distant view is available (click on the photo for a closer view), and Bing has a distant satellite view. Located on a small island in the Ognabukta bight south of Hå. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. NF-0983; Admiralty B3216; NGA 2048. *** Kvassheim (1) 1912. Inactive since 1990. 12 m (39 ft) lantern and gallery centered on the roof of a 1-1/2 story wood keeper's house. Building painted white, lantern red. 1-1/2 story assistant keeper's house and several other buildings are preserved at this station. Jarle Vines's photo appears at right, S. Lommatzsch has a great 2008 closeup, Anke and Jens also have a good photo, the Lighthouse Association has a page for the lighthouse, and Bing has a satellite view. In 2003, management of the station was transferred to the Jæren Friluftsråd (Recreation Council), which began restoration work the following winter. The building includes a cafeteria and a small museum. Located on a promontory just off highway 44 about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) south of Vigrestad. Site open, lighthouse open daily late June to mid August and on Sundays and holidays during the rest of the year except January. Site manager: Jæren Filuftsråd. ARLHS NOR-026. * Kvassheim (2) 1990. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); white, red or green light depending on direction, occulting twice every 8 s. 6 m (20 ft) concrete post light with lantern and gallery, painted with red and white horizontal bands. Anke and Jens have a photo, Detlef Peters has a photo, and Bing has a satellite view. Located a short distance west of the historic lighthouse. ARLHS NOR-333; NF-0986; Admiralty B3217; NGA 2052.

Kvassheim Fyr, Hå, June 2007 Wikimedia Creative Commons photo by Jarle Vines

** Obrestad (2) 1950 (station established 1873). Active; focal plane 39 m (128 ft); continuous white light with a more intense flash every 30 s. 16 m (52 ft) square cylindrical granite tower with lantern and gallery, attached to the landward end of a 1-1/2 story granite keeper's house. Tower and gallery painted white, lantern red; the house is unpainted stone. The light also serves as the rear light of a range, with the Håtangen light (next entry) as the front light. Roar Johansen's photo appears at right, Anke and Jens have good photos, Wikimedia has another photo, Jan Inge Dalsbø has a fine 2008 closeup, and Google has a satellite view. Trabas has a 2011 photo by Michael Boucher showing the light tower elaborately painted, part of a program to use the lighthouse as a site for art projects. Huelse has a postcard view of the original lighthouse, which may have been damaged during World War II. The station also includes a principal keeper's house built in 1905, as well as other buildings. Hå Kommune purchased the light station in 2006; there is a museum in the lighthouse and the keeper's house is available for private functions or overnight accommodations. Located on a promontory about 5 km (3 mi) west of Nærbø. Site open; museum and tower open daily mid June through mid August and on Sundays March-June and August-December. Owner: Hå Kommune; site manager: Obrestad Fyr. ARLHS NOR-034; NF-0990; Admiralty B3220.1; NGA 2056. * Håtangen (Obrestad Range Front) 1903. Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); white light occulting once every 6 s; the light is intensified on a range line with the Obrestad lighthouse. 4 m (13 ft) lantern mounted on four iron legs on a concrete base. Lantern painted white with a red roof. Wikimedia has Roar Johansen's photo, Trabas has Michael Boucher's closeup, another photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the small harbor of Obrestad about 5 km (3 mi) west of Nærbø and 1 km (0.6 mi) southeast of the Obrestad lighthouse. Site open, tower closed. NF-0994; Admiralty B3220; NGA 2064.

Obrestad Fyr, Hå, September 2006 Wikimedia Creative Commons photo by Roar Johansen

Klepp Lighthouse

Feistein 1859. Active; focal plane 34 m (112 ft); two white flashes every 20 s; also a red or green light, depending on direction, occulting twice every 8 s, at a focal plane of 21 m (69 ft). 25 m (82 ft) round cast iron tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 2-story keeper's house. Lighthouse painted red with two white horizontal bands below the gallery. A second 1-1/2 story keeper's house is connected to the tower by a raised walkway. Klepp Kommune has a web page for the lighthouse with two photos in addition to the one at right, Kristoffer Tveit has a good photo, Trabas has a good photo by Ronald Wöhrn, Wikimedia has several views from the sea, and Google has a satellite view. The keepers houses are available for overnight accommodations. Located on an island about 2 km (1.2 mi) off the coast near Verdalen. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Klepp Kommune. ARLHS NOR-013; NF-1000; Admiralty B3228; NGA 2068. Sola Lighthouses Kolnesholmane 1913. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); flash every 5 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 13 m (43 ft) post with a small lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white; lantern roof is red. Trabas has Wöhrn's photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on an island about 1.5 km (1 mi) off the coast near Sola. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS NOR-331; NF-1002; Admiralty B3232; NGA 2076. * Flatholmen (1) 1862 (lantern restored 2010). Inactive since 1894. Square light tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-1/2 story stone keeper's house. Lantern and gallery painted red. Michael Boucher's photo is below right. The light was replaced in 1894 by a free-standing tower. The lantern was removed, but the house remained in service as an assistant keeper's house. The station was restored in 2010 and is apparently open to the public in season, but details are not available. Located on an island about 1 km (0.6 mi) off the coast at Tananger. Accessible only by boat; transportation to the island can be arranged in Tananger. Site open, tower status unknown.

Feistein Fyr, Klepp Klepp Kommune photo (no longer online)

* Flatholmen (3) 1957 (station established 1862). Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, 3 s on, 3 s off. 8 m (26 ft) post light with a small lantern and gallery. The station includes at least two 1-1/2 story keeper's houses and several other buildings. Trabas has a photo, a 2009 view from the sea is available, and Google has a satellite view. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Sola Kommune. ARLHS NOR-083; NF-1005; Admiralty B3236; NGA 2084. * [Tananger] 1890. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, occulting three times every 10 s. Lantern mounted on a concrete pad, painted white with a red roof. Amelia Royan has a closeup photo, Trabas has a closeup photo by Michael Boucher, and Google has a satellite view. Located off the Havneveien on the east side of the entrance to the harbor of Tananger, close to the pilot station. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS NOR-342; NF-1006; Admiralty B3237; NGA 2088. Oksefotskjær (Oksafodskjær) Date unknown. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); flash every 5 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 10 m (33 ft) post light with a small lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white; lantern roof is red. Trabas has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on an island about 1.5 km (1 mi) off the coast northwest of Tananger. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS NOR-338; NF-1009; Admiralty B3241; NGA 2100.

Restored Flatholmen Fyr, Sola, September 2011 photo copyright Michael Boucher; used by permission

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

Adjoining pages: North: Stavanger Area | East: Vest-Agder (Kristiansand Area)

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Posted May 15, 2006. Checked and revised April 3, 2013. Lighthouses: 21. Site copyright 2013 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.