Name and Location

Stevns Fyr is a coastal lighthouse located at Stevns Klint, near Rødvig, Stevns Municipality, Region Sjælland, Denmark. Its approximate latitude and longitude are 55.246° N, 12.402° E.

2. Construction and History

The lighthouse was constructed in the late 19th century to mark the southern entrance to Køge Bugt on the island of Sjælland, Denmark. It was lit for the first time in 1878, serving as a warning to mariners of the steep chalk cliffs and shoals off Stevns, as well as marking the approach to Copenhagen via Køge Bugt.

3. Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse is a cylindrical masonry tower attached to a keeper's house, built with red-brick (rendered and painted white) and featuring a cast-iron lantern. The tower has a tapered shape with a gallery and lantern on top, marked by a white tower with a red lantern roof.

4. Light and Navigation

The lighthouse stands 27 meters tall, with a focal plane approximately 32 meters above sea level. Its traditional range is around 18 nautical miles, and its light characteristic is Fl(4) W 20 s (a fixed-white beacon with four flashes every 20 seconds).

5. Accessibility and Visiting

The grounds surrounding the lighthouse are open to the public free of charge during daylight hours. However, visitors cannot access the tower's interior due to safety reasons. Outdoor panels provide interpretation about the geology of Stevns Klint and the history of the light.

6. Notable Views and Landscape

Perched on chalk cliffs rising up to 41 meters above sea level, the lighthouse offers panoramic views of Køge Bugt. Nearby attractions include the Stevns Klint Visitor Center, Højerup Old Church (a ruin partway down the cliff), and coastal hiking trails.

7. Anecdotes and Folklore

During World War II, the Germans installed observation posts near the light station but left the tower itself largely unaltered. Local folklore tells of shipwrecked sailors climbing the cliff by moonlight after following the tower's beam inland.

8. Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse was originally operated by a residential keeper and assistants. It was electrified and automated in 1973, with a power source transitioning from oil to electricity mid-century. Today, it remains fully automated and monitored remotely by the Danish Coastal Authority (Kystdirektoratet).

9. Further Information