Name and Location

The Sušac Lighthouse (Svjetionik Sušac) is an active coastal light station located off the island of Sušac, Croatia. It marks the northern approach to the Adriatic Sea and has guided vessels through these rocky waters since the late 19th century.

Construction and History

The lighthouse was constructed in 1878 under Austro-Hungarian maritime administration and first lit around 1878-1879. Its purpose is to warn shipping of the submerged reefs and steep coastlines around Sušac and Lastovo islands.

Architecture and Materials

The tower is a cylindrical masonry structure, whitewashed, rising from a single-storey keeper's house (now unoccupied). The lantern room has cast-iron framing with external gallery railings. The building materials used are local limestone and brick with lime mortar; metal lantern framing reflects the functional late-19th-century Austro-Hungarian lighthouse design.

Light and Navigation

The light source is an automated electric lamp, formerly oil or acetylene. The characteristic of the light is likely a white flash every 10-15 seconds. The nominal range is approximately 15-20 nautical miles, typical for Adriatic coastal lights. The focal height is estimated to be 60-70 meters above sea level (tower height + cliff elevation).

Accessibility and Visiting

The island of Sušac is uninhabited and has no regular ferry service. Landing is possible only by private boat under calm sea conditions and requires ropes or ladders on steep cliffs. The lighthouse itself is not open to the public (locked), and interior tours are not offered.

Notable Views and Landscape

Sušac is a rugged, unspoiled islet known for dramatic limestone cliffs plunging into the Adriatic. From the lighthouse gallery, one can see the open sea to the south, the silhouette of Lastovo to the northeast, and occasional seabirds nesting on offshore rocks.

Anecdotes and Folklore

According to oral tradition among Lastovo islanders, the original keepers lived in isolation for months at a time, keeping the light burning and weather observations. Shipwrecks have occurred around Sušac's reefs before the lighthouse was built; sailing vessels ran aground in the 19th century.

Technical and Operational Details

The managing authority is Plovput d.o.o., the Croatian Maritime Safety Agency. The lighthouse has been automated since the late 20th century and is maintained periodically by Plovput crews. No radar installation exists, but some AIS virtual aids are managed by Plovput in the region.

Further Information

For more information, visit the official website of Plovput d.o.o., "Svjetionik Sušac" (https://www.plovput.hr/pomorska-signalizacija/svjetionici/svjetionik/a/view/id/17) or consult Croatian Wikipedia: "Svjetionik Otok Sušac."