Lighthouses of Sweden: Northern Bothnia

This page covers lighthouses of northern Sweden, including the counties of Norrbotten (North Bothnia) and Västerbotten (West Bothnia). These counties face the northern end of the Gulf of Bothnia, adjoining Finland at the head of the gulf. This northernmost extension of the Baltic Sea is known in Sweden as the Bothnian Bay (Bottenviken). It is shallow, with numerous shoals and islands, creating a need for many navigational aids. The southern part of Västerbotten faces a narrower section of the Gulf known as the Norra Kvarken (northern throat or northern strait).

The Swedish word for a lighthouse is fyr. The front light of a range is the nedrefyr (lower light) and the rear light is the övrefyr (upper light). Aids to navigation in Sweden are maintained by the Swedish Maritime Administration (Sjöfartsverket). Many of the major lighthouses have resident attendents, and guided tours can often be arranged. The Swedish Lighthouse Society (Svenska Fyrsällskapet) works for the preservation of the lighthouses.

ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. SV numbers are from the Sjöfarsverket light list (Fyrlista) as reported by the Swedish Lighthouse Society. 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
Swedish Lighthouse Society (Svenska Fyrsällskapet, SFA)
The Society has a large web site, and some of the information is available in English as well as Swedish. An interactive map links to pdf pages (in Swedish) for the major lighthouses, and there is a list of photos available.
Svenska Fyrar på Norrlandskusten av Esbjörn Hillberg
Photos by Hillberg posted on the SFA web site.
Online Lists of Lights - Sweden
Photos by various photographers posted by Alex Trabas.
Lighthouses in Sweden
Photos available from Wikimedia.
Lighthouses in Sweden
Photos posted by Marinas.com.
Schwedische Leuchttürme auf historischen Postkarten
Historic postcard views posted by Klaus Huelse.

Rödkallen Fyr
1872 Rödkallen Fyr, Luleå, July 2006
Luleå Kommun photo by Thomas Lindgren

Lighthouses of Norrbottens Län

Haparanda Lighthouses
* Nikkala Vattentorn
Date unknown. Inactive since 2012. Approx. 40 m (131 ft) mushroom-shaped water tower (vattentorn). Entire structure is light gray. Trabas has a photo. A Google satellite view may show the location of the tower. Located on the south side of Nikkala, a town about 25 km (15 mi) east of the Finnish border. Site open, tower closed. ex-Admiralty C5702.4; NGA 11972.
Lehtikari
Date unknown. Inactive since 2012. 7 m (23 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Tower painted red, lantern white. Trabas has a photo, and Google has a distant satellite view. Located on a small island north of the large island of Seskarö and about 10 km (6 mi) south of Säivis. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ex-Admiralty C5717; NGA 11944.

Kalix Lighthouses
Malören (1)
1851 (Nils Gustaf von Heidenstam). Reactivated (inactive 1891-1910); focal plane 22 m (72 ft); two long (2 s) flashes every 12 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 17 m (56 ft) tapered octagonal wood-shingled tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted red; lantern dome painted white. The State Property Board (Statens Fastighetsverk) has an article on the island including the photo at right, Wikipedia has an article, Hillberg has a good photo (first photo on the page), SFA has a historic photo taken in 1925, the Sjöfartsverket has a page with the history of the lighthouse, and Google has a distant satellite view. There was a daybeacon at this site as early as 1735. In 1769 a chapel was built that served also as a daybeacon; this chapel still stands and Hillberg has a photo (third photo on the page). The 1851 tower was the first lighthouse built by the great Swedish lighthouse engineer Nils Gustaf von Heidenstam. The lighthouse was replaced in 1880, but not removed. After mariners complained that the new lighthouse was too low, the light was returned to the older tower in 1910. Note: the word malören means "misfortunes" in Swedish, a reference to the frequency of shipwrecks nearby. Located on an island in the northernmost Gulf of Bothnia, about 40 km (25 mi) southeast of Kalix. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-046; SV-0143; Admiralty C5710; NGA 11872.
Malören (2)
1891. Inactive since 1910. 8 m (26 ft) octagonal cylindrical wood tower attached to a 1-story wood keeper's cottage. Entire structure painted a dark red. Hillberg has a good photo (second photo on the page). As noted above, the lighthouse proved to be too short; its focal plane was only 13 m (43 ft) instead of the former 22 m (72 ft). The light was moved back to the old tower (previous entry) in 1910. Located near the original lighthouse. Site open, tower closed.
Trutskärsbådan
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); two flashes every 3 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 7 m (23 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Tower painted red, lantern white. Trabas has a distant view, and Google has a distant satellite view. Located on a skerry off Frevisören, about 25 km (15 mi) southeast of Kalix. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C5712.8; NGA 11896.
* Karlsborg (Kvarnören Övre)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 29 m (95 ft); red light occulting once every 5 s. Light mounted on or in the gable of a building, presumably the keeper's house. Trabas has a photo of the house. Located in Karlsborg; Google has only a very fuzzy satellite view of the area. Site presumably open, tower closed. Admiralty C5720.1; NGA 11916.
1851 Malören Fyr
1851 Malören Fyr, Kalix
Swedish National Property Board photo
Dyråsholmen Övre
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 28 m (92 ft); quick-flashing white light 20 m (66 ft) square skeletal tower carrying a rectangular daymark painted white with a red horizontal band. Trabas has a photo, and Google has a distant satellite view. Located on a small, wooded island about 1 km (0.6 mi) south of the Karlsborg waterfront. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C5719; NGA 11909.
Lutskärsgrund
1959. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, 2 s on, 6 s off. 15 m (49 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. The lantern and upper portion of the lighthouse are painted white and the lower portion red, with one black horizontal band in the middle. A distant view is available, but Google has a distant satellite view. Located on a gravel bar in the northernmost Gulf of Bothnia, about 8 km (5 mi) southeast of Risögrund. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-271; Admiralty C5725.5; NGA 11868.
Storö (Storön)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); three flashes every 9 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Upper half of the lighthouse painted white, lower half red. A good photo (misidentified as Skagsudde) is available, and Google has a distant satellite view. Located on a skerry off a promontory about 5 km (3 mi) south of Storön. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C5727.5; NGA 11840.

Luleå Lighthouses
Larsgrundet
1965. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); three long (2.5 s) flashes every 20 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 19 m (62 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and two galleries. Tower painted black with one red horizontal band, lantern painted white. Per Pettersson's photo is at right, and Trabas has a distant view, but the tower does not appear in Google's distant satellite view. Located on a shoal in the channel between the islands of Junkön and Storbrändön, about 12 km (7.5 mi) east southeast of Luleå. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-234; Admiralty C5734; NGA 11700.
Vitfågelrannan
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); quick-flashing light, white, red or green depending on direction. 15 m (49 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted red, lantern white. A closeup photo is available, Trabas has a distant view, and Google has a distant satellite view. Located on a shoal adjoining the Luleå approach channel about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) northwest of the Larsgrundet lighthouse. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C5735; NGA 11696.
Germandö (Germandön) (2)
1920 (station established 1882). Inactive. Approx. 12 m (39 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with gallery; lantern removed. Lighthouse painted red, watch room white. 1-1/2 story wood keeper's house. Hillberg has a photo (fifth photo on the page), and Google has a distant satellite view. Located near the southeastern tip of Germandö, a large island about 25 km (15 mi) southeast of Luleå. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-152.
Larsgrundet Fyr
Larsgrundet Fyr, Luleå, summer 2008
Luleå Kommun photo by Per Pettersson
Sandögrundet
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 6 m (20 ft); white or red light, depending on direction, occulting once every 4 s. 6 m (20 ft) lantern centered on a square equipment shelter and mounted on a square concrete pier. Lantern painted white. Trabas has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a shoal in Luleå harbor. Site open, tower closed. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C5770; NGA 11680.
Rödkallen
1872 (Nils Gustaf von Heidenstam). Inactive since 1974. 21.5 m (70 ft) round cast iron skeletal tower with lantern, enclosed watch room, gallery, and central cylinder. Lighthouse painted red; lantern dome is greenish metallic. Several 1-story wood keeper's houses and other station buildings are preserved. The original rotating 1st order Fresnel lens is still mounted in the tower; it was tested in 2005 and found to be still operational. Thomas Lindgren's photo is at the top of this page, Hillberg has several photos (1/8 the way down the page), there's also another photo and a good photo of the station, a 2008 photo shows the lighthouse floodlit at night, and Google has a satellite view. The historic lighthouse is about 850 m (1/2 mi) northwest of the modern Rödkallen Södra light. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-323.
Rödkallen Södra
1972. Active; focal plane 22 m (72 ft); one long flash every 10 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 18 m (59 ft) 5-story pilot and administration building with a lantern and communications gear on the roof. Upper third of the building painted red, lower 2/3 yellow; lantern painted white. Göran Wallin's photo is at right, Marinas.com has aerial photos, another aerial photo shows both Rödkallen lighthouses, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the south shore of the island of Rödkallen, the outermost of the many islands fringing Luleå, about 16 km (10 mi) southeast of the port. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower status unknown. ARLHS SWE-054; SV-0354; Admiralty C5745; NGA 11628.
Borussiagrund
1969. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); white light, 4 s on, 4 s off. 17 m (56 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted red with one white horizontal band. No photo available, and the light is not visible in Google's distant satellite view. The lighthouse formerly had a directional light, white, red or green; it was converted in 2011 to show white in all directions. Located on a shoal about 5 km (3 mi) west northwest of Rödkallen. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C5749; NGA 11644.
Farstugrunden
1974. Active; focal plane 27 m (89 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, 2 s on, 6 s off. 29 m (95 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with three galleries and a helipad on top. Upper portion of the lighthouse painted red, lower portion white. A fine 2006 photo is available. Located in the Gulf of Bothnia about 25 km (15 mi) southeast of Luleå. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-128; Admiralty C5748; NGA 11640.
Rödkallen Södra Lighthouse
Rödkallen Södra Fyr, Luleå
Luleå Kommun photo by Göran Wallin

Piteå Lighthouses
Norströmsgrund
1971. Active; focal plane 29 m (95 ft); white flash every 3 s. 29 m (95 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with three galleries and a helipad on top. Lighthouse painted black with one red horizontal band. Kari Kolari has several photos, and Morten Bjerkås has a photo. Located in the Gulf of Bothnia about 30 km (19 mi) south southeast of Luleå and 40 km (25 mi) east southeast of Piteå. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-051; Admiralty C5744; NGA 11624.
Renöragrund
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); three quick flashes every 4 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 11 m (36 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted red, lantern white. Trabas has a photo, and Google has a distant satellite view. Located on a shoal about 5 km (3 mi) southeast of the entrance to Piteå. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C5791; NGA 11558.
Leskär (2)
Date unknown (station established 1879). Active; focal plane 12m (39 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, 1.5 s on, 1.5 s off. 9.5 m (31 ft) concrete tower. Lighthouse painted white with one red horizontal band under the gallery. Hillberg has a photo (1/5 the way down the page), Trabas has a distant view, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located on a skerry about 6 km (3.5 mi) southeast of the entrance to Piteå. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C5790; NGA 11488.
** Skags (Skags Udde, Skagsudde) (1) (relocated)
1871 (Nils Gustaf von Heidenstam). Inactive since 1971 (?). 17.5 m (57 ft) round cast iron skeletal tower with lantern, enclosed watch room, gallery, and central cylinder. 3rd order Fresnel lens mounted in the lantern. Top third of the lighthouse painted black, lower 2/3 white. A photo is at right, Patrik Engman has a good photo, Christina Bylund has a 2009 photo, and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse formerly stood on the island of Gråklubben about 25 km (15 mi) east southeast of Örnsköldsvik in Västernorrland. SFA has a historic photo of the light station taken in 1893. When it was replaced in 1957, it was dismantled and stored. It was reassembled for display in Jävre, a town about 25 km (15 mi) south of Piteå, in 1971. The lighthouse is clearly well maintained. Located just off the main E4 highway on the south side of Jävre. Site open, tower status unknown. ARLHS SWE-035.
Skags Fyr
Skags Fyr, Jävre, October 2010
Flickr Creative Commons photo by Jonas N

Lighthouses of Västerbottens Län

Skellefteå Lighthouses
Nygrån (2)
Around 1970 (station established 1958). Active; focal plane 19 m (62 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, 2 s on, 6 s off. 21 m (69 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white with one black horizontal band. Only a poor photo is available. There's a drawing of the original lighthouse, which was overthrown by ice in 1969. Located on a shoal in the Gulf of Bothnia about 12 km (7.5 mi) southeast of Jävrebyn and about 6 km (4 mi) east of the Pite-Rönnskär lighthouse. (It's not clear if this is in Västerbotten or Norrbotten.) Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-297; Admiralty C5789; NGA 11476.
Pite-Rönnskär (2)
1862 (relocated here in 1905; this station established 1880). Reactivated (inactive 1958-2005, now privately maintained and unofficial); focal plane 37 m (121 ft); three white flashes every 15 s. 37 m (121 ft) round cast iron skeletal tower with lantern, gallery, and central cylinder. The original rotating 3rd order Fresnel lens is in use. Entire lighthouse painted red. Jörgen Lundqvist's photo is at right, Hillberg has several photos (1/6 the way down the page), a 2007 photo is available, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. This is the tallest of the Heidenstam class skeletal towers. Originally the lighthouse was one of twin towers at Sandhammaren in Scania. It was deactivated there is 1891, dismantled in 1904, and rebuilt here in 1905. The lighthouse marked the beginning of the approach to Piteå; it was deactivated in 1958 in favor of the Nygrån Fyr, which was built farther out in the gulf. The lighthouse was reactivated in 2005, on its 100th anniversary on Pite-Ronnskär, through the efforts of summer residents who have cabins on the island. Located on an island about 8 km (5 mi) southeast of Jävrebyn. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-329; SV-0470.1.
Bergskäret (2)
Date unknown (station established 1893). Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); flash every 3 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 7 m (23 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Tower painted white, lantern red. Trabas has a photo, and Google has a distant satellite view. Located on an island on the south side of the entrance to the Kagefjärd, about 8 km (5 mi) northeast of Skellefteå. Site status unknown. ARLHS SWE-090; Admiralty C5805; NGA 11460.
Gåsören (1) (Gamla Gasören)
1881. Reactivated (inactive 1921-2003, now privately maintained); focal plane 11 m (36 ft); white light occulting once every 10 s. 9.5 m (31 ft) lantern and gallery mounted at one end of a 1-1/2 story wood keeper's house. Lighthouse painted white; lantern roof is greenish metallic. Trabas has a photo, Hillberg has several photos (1/4 the way down the page), a 2008 photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. The building continued in use as the keeper's house for the 1921 lighthouse. In 1992 the lighthouse was acquired by the Skellefteå section of the Svenska Kryssarklubben (Swedish seacruising club). The club restored the building and reactivated it, although its light is primarily decorative. Located on an island off the entrance to Skelleftehamn, the harbor of Skellefteå. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-148; Admiralty C5810.5; NGA 11384.2.
Pite-Rönnskär Fyr
Pite-Rönnskär Fyr, August 2007
Wikimedia Creative Commons photo by Jörgen Lundqvist
Gåsören (2)
1921 (station established 1881). Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); two long (2 s) flashes every 12 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 13 m (43 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white with a red horizontal band under the gallery. Hillberg has several photos (1/4 the way down the page), a 2008 closeup is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located near the historic lighthouse, on an island off the entrance to Skelleftehamn, the harbor of Skellefteå. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-017; SV-0634; Admiralty C5810; NGA 11384.
Kopparudden
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12.5 m (41 ft); flash every 3 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 6.5 m (21 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Tower painted orange, lantern white. Trabas has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located in an industrial area at the north side of the entrance to Skelleftehamn, the harbor of Skellefteå. Site status unknown. Admiralty C5813; NGA 11388.
* Bjuröklubb
1859 (pilot station established 1821). Active; focal plane 51 m (167 ft); white light, 8 s on, 2 s off. 7.5 m (25 ft) octagonal cylindrical stone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story keeper's house and pilot station. Original 2nd order Fresnel lens in use. The tower is unpainted; lantern dome painted white, house painted yellow. David Arvidsson's photo is at right, Trabas has a photo, Peter Samuelsson has a 2008 photo, Hillberg has two photos (1/4 the way down the page), Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. This historic light station is the landfall light for Skellefteå, marking the south entrance to an embayment leading to the town. Renovated in 2006-07, the station now includes a café and conference center, with overnight accommodations available. The surrounding area is a nature preserve with hiking trails. Bjuröklubb itself is a headland marking the division between the Bothnian Bay and the Norra Kvarken (Northern Strait). Located on a promontory about 15 km (9 mi) northeast of Lövånger. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Bjuröklubbs Fyr. ARLHS SWE-094; SV-0697; Admiralty C5826; NGA 11356.
Bjuröklubb Sector
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); flash every 3 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 4 m (13 ft) octagonal lantern mounted on a round concrete pad. Trabas has a photo, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located on the northeast corner of the Bjuröklubb promontory, about 400 m (1/4 mi) northeast of the historic lighthouse. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C5828; NGA 11360.
Bjuröklubb Fyr
Bjuröklubbs Fyr, Skellefteå, July 2009
Creative Commons photo by David Arvidsson
Blackkallen
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12.5 m (41 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, 2 s on, 6 s off. 13 m (43 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on a conical concrete base. Lighthouse painted white with one black horizontal band. Trabas has a distant view, and Google has a distant satellite view. Located on a small island about 10 km (6 mi) east of Lövånger. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C5832; NGA 11352.
Kallviksklubben
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); quick-flashing white light, white, red or green depending on direction. 5 m (17 ft) square tower with a round lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse painted white. Trabas has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a skerry about 40 km (25 mi) northeast of Ratan. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C5833; NGA 11328.

Robertsfors Lighthouses
Vannskär
1920. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); three flashes every 9 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 11.5 m (37 ft) cast iron tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on a concrete base. Tower painted with black and white spiral bands (very unusual for Sweden), lantern painted red. Trabas has a distant view, and Google has a satellite view. Located on an island about 8 m (5 mi) east of Sikeå Hamn. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-416; Admiralty C5840; NGA 11324.
Rata Storgrund
1975. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); two flashes every 6 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 17 m (56 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Upper half of lighthouse painted white, lower half red. No photo available, and the light is not seen in Google's satellite view. Located on a shoal in the Gulf of Bothnia about 10 km (6 mi) due east of Ratan. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-318; Admiralty C5847; NGA 11308.
Rataskär (Ratanskär, Ratan Nedrefyr) (2)
1890 (station established 1874). Active; focal plane 26 m (85 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, 6 s on, 2 s off, 2 s on, 2 s off, 2 s on, 6 s off. 8 m (26 ft) octagonal cylindrical wood tower with lantern and gallery, attached to the seaward end of a 1-story wood building. Original 4th order Fresnel lens in use. Lighthouse painted white. A photo is at right, Trabas has a closeup photo, a good 2008 photo is available, Hillberg has two photos (1/3 the way down the page), Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. Jukka Liedes has a 2010 photo that also shows the rear beacon and the 3-story former pilot tower. Located on a small island about 1.6 km (1 mi) northeast of Ratan. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-319; SV-0755; Admiralty C5848; NGA 11300.
Rataskär Övrefyr (Rataskärs Båk)
1828. Inactive. 18 m (59 ft) octagonal wood tower with a pyramidal wood roof. Tower painted dark red except for the side facing the range line, which is painted in a red and white checkerboard pattern. This is an old beacon still maintained as the rear tower of a day range; for a time it also carried a light. A photo is at right, Jukka Liedes has a 2010 photo, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. Located about 100 m (110 yd) west northwest of the front light. Site open, tower closed.
Rataskär Fyr
Rataskärs Fyr (left) and Båk, Robertsfors
Västerbottens Museum photo
* Ratan Södra
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); flash every 3 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 4 m (13 ft) octagonal lantern mounted on a concrete pad. Trabas has a closeup photo, Hillberg has a photo (1/3 the way down the page), and Google has a satellite view. Located on the west side of the southern entrance to Ratan harbor, which is sheltered by the island of Rataskär. Site open, tower closed. SV-0759; Admiralty C5852; NGA 11304.

Holmöarna Lighthouses
Note: The Holmöarna (Holmön Archipelago) is a chain of islands about 18 km (11 mi) long, stretching north to south in the Gulf of Bothnia east northeast of Umeå. The largest island, Holmön, at the northern end of the chain, has a small settlement, also called Holmön. Since 1974 the islands have been administered as part of the Umeå municipality.
Stora Fjäderägg
1851 (Carl Sandell). Inactive since 2008. 13 m (43 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse painted white. Two 1-story wood keeper's houses and other station buildings. The light station is now used as a bird banding station operated by the Västerbottens Ornitologiska Förening. Åke Samuelsson has a 2009 photo, Hillberg has a photo (1/3 the way down the page), and Google has a satellite view. The light failed in the summer of 2008, and since the lighthouse was scheduled for deactivation within the next few years the Sjöfartsverket did not repair it. Located on an island at the northeastern end of the Holmöarna, about 7 km (4.5 mi) east of Holmön. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-063; SV-0780; ex-Admiralty C5856; NGA 11256.
** Bergudden (2)
1896 (station established 1884). Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, 3 s on, 3 s off. 18 m (59 ft) square shingle-covered wood tower with gallery and a pyramidal metal roof; the light is shown through a large square window. The lighthouse is covered by brown-stained wood shingles with a rectangular white daymark painted on the southwest side; the metal roof is greenish. 1-story wood keeper's house and other station buildings. Åke Samuelsson's photo is at right, Eric Nyström has a 2009 photo of the station, Wikimedia has a photo, Hillberg has two photos (almost halfway down the page), Trabas has a distant view, Marinas.com has an aerial photo, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. Leased to the Holmöns Folklore Society, the station is operated as a hostel with overnight accommodations during the summer. Located on the west side of the island of Holmön. Site open, tower open for tours May 15 through September 30. Site manager: Holmöns Hembygdsförening. ARLHS SWE-091; SV-0793; Admiralty C5864; NGA 11272.

Berguddens Fyr, Holmön, August 2009
photo copyright Åke Samuelsson; used by permission
Nordvalen
1960. Active; focal plane 24 m (79 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, 4 s on, 4 s off. 26 m (85 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with two galleries and a helipad on top. Lighthouse painted with red and black horizontal bands. A photo is available, and Trabas has a distant view. Located in the center of the Gulf of Bothnia (midway between Sweden and Finland) about 3 km (2 mi) southeast of the Holmögadd lighthouse. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-050; Admiralty C5874; NGA 11248.
Holmögadd (5)
1854 (Carl Sandell) (station established 1760). Inactive since 2009. 21 m (69 ft) round granite tower with lantern and gallery. The tower is unpainted gray stone; lantern painted black with a white roof. 3rd order Fresnel lens (1896) in use. Two 1-story wood keeper's houses and other station buildings. Hillberg has several photos (almost halfway down the page), Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. This is the oldest light station in the north of Sweden. The original basket light was replaced by a masonry tower in 1782, but due to poor construction that tower had to be replaced three years later. A tower with the same height as the present one was built in 1828, but it also proved defective in design. In the mid 1850s the new lighthouse was part of a Swedish Navy network of meteorological stations, one of the first such networks to be established. Admiral Johan Henrik Kreüger, who founded the network, tested early anemometers and other weather instruments here. This station was staffed until 2003, making it the last staffed station in Sweden. In recent years, the Sjöfartsverket announced several times its intention to deactivate the light. This decision was strongly opposed locally, but ultimately to no avail. In November 2008 the light was reported "temporarily" extinguished, and it seems it will not be repaired. Located at the southern tip of the Holmöarna. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-014; ex-SV-0826; ex-Admiralty C5870; NGA 11128.

Umeå Lighthouses
Fjärdgrund (2)
Date unknown (station established 1907). Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, occulting twice every 12 s. Lighthouse painted white with one red horizontal band below the gallery. A 2008 photo and another photo are available, Hillberg has a photo (almost halfway down the page), and Google has a satellite view. The foundation ruins of the original keeper's house are next to the lighthouse. Located on a small island about 1 km (0.6 mi) south of the ferry terminal at Holmsund; ferries from here cross the Gulf of Bothnia to Vaasa, Finland. Accessible only by boat, but there's a great view from the ferries. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-014; SV-0858; Admiralty C5888; NGA 11180.
Bredskärssund (Bredskär) Nedre
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 7 m (23 ft); quick-flashing white light. 7 m (23 ft) round tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. Trabas has a closeup photo, Hillberg has a photo (1/3 the way down the page), the light is barely seen on the distant island behind the Fjärdgrund light at right, and Google has a satellite view. The rear light is in a small round lantern on a stone base. Located on Obbolaö, an island in the entrance to Holmgrund. Site status unknown. Admiralty C5884; NGA 11164.
Holmögadd Fyr
Holmögadds Fyr, Holmön
Västerbottens Museum photo
Revet
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); two flashes every 3 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 16 m (52 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white with one green horizontal band. Trabas has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located about 3 km (2 mi) south of Holmsund. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C5887.5; NGA 11160.
Storbränningen
1968. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); three flashes every 9 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 8 m (26 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Tower painted red, lantern white. Trabas has a distant view. Located on a shoal about 4 km (2.5 mi) south of Holmsund. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C5882; NGA 11136.
Väktaren
1968. Active; focal plane 20 m (66 ft); two long (2 s) flashes every 15 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 21 m (69 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted with red and white horizontal bands. Teemu Vehkaoja's photo is at right, Hillberg has a photo (halfway down the page), a wintry photo shows the lighthouse in silhouette, and Trabas has a distant view. Located on a small island about 5 km (3 mi) south of Holmsund and 12 km (7.5 mi) south of Umeå. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C5881; NGA 11140.
Gunvorsgrund
1971. Active; focal plane 22 m (72 ft); three flashes every 9 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 23 m (75 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted with black and white horizontal bands. No photo available. Located in the Gulf of Bothnia about 25 km (15 mi) southeast of Umeå. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-165; Admiralty C5880; NGA 11132.

Nordmaling Lighthouses
Lögaren
1966. Active; focal plane 19 m (62 ft); flash every 3 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 19.5 m (64 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with a black base. No photo available; Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located in the Gulf of Bothnia about 5 km (3 mi) southeast of Hörnefors. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-265; Admiralty C5903; NGA 11058.
Bonden
1913. Active; focal plane 35 m (115 ft); flash every 6 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 20 m (66 ft) cylindrical tower, upper half round and lower half square, with lantern and gallery. Upper half of lighthouse painted black, lower half white; lantern painted white. Anders Enetjärn has a closeup photo, and a 2009 photo is available, but the reef is only a blur in Google's satellite view. Located on a small island about 11 km (7 mi) southeast of Norrbyn; the island, a nature preserve, is a favorite destination for sea kayakers. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-101; Admiralty C5920; NGA 11056.
Sydostbrotten
1963 (lightship station established 1862). Active; focal plane 34 m (112 ft); three long (2.5 s) white flashes every 20 s. 34 m (112 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with three galleries and a helipad on top, centered on a round 2-story concrete crew building. Lighthouse painted red with two horizontal black bands. A photo is available. Located about 20 km (13 mi) out in the Gulf of Bothnia and 30 km (19 mi) south of Umeå. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-068; Admiralty C5923; NGA 11044.
Vaktarens Fyr
Väktarens Fyr, July 2009
contributed photo copyright Teemu Vehkaoja
used by permission
Norbyskär
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 5 m (17 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, 2 s on, 2 s off. 6 m (21 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. Trabas has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a skerry about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) south of Norrbyn. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C5910; NGA 11068.
Norra Långrogrundet
1962. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); two flashes every 6 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 22 m (72 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted with black and white horizontal bands. Located in the Gulf of Bothnia about 16 km (10 mi) southeast of Nordmaling. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SWE-294; Admiralty C5925; NGA 11004.
Storbåden
1890. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); three flashes every 12 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 16 m (52 ft) round tower, painted white with a black horizontal band. No photo available, but Google has a fuzzy satellite view. Located on a small island in the center of the entrance to the bay leading to Nordmaling, about 15 km (9 mi) southeast of the town. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS SWE-373; Admiralty C5928; NGA 10996.
Kyrkhälludden
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); white, red or green light, depending on direction, 1.5 s on, 1.5 s off. 7.5 m (25 ft) concrete post light with lantern and gallery, painted white with a red horizontal band below the gallery. Trabas has a photo, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located on a promontory about 12 km (7.5 mi) southeast of Nordmaling. Site status unknown. Admiralty C5938; NGA 11020.
Vallinsgrundet
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 19 m (62 ft); one long white flash every 12 s. 20 m (66 ft) round tower, painted red; lantern painted white. Hillberg has a photo (halfway down the page). NGA misspells the name as Villinsgrundet. Located about 10 km (6 mi) south of Nordmaling (it's not clear if this location is in Västerbotten or in neighboring Västernorrland). Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty C5925.4; NGA 11000.

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

Adjoining pages: East: Western Finland | South: Västernorrland

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Posted August 20, 2007. Checked and revised June 12, 2012. Lighthouses: 54. Site copyright 2012 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.