Name and Location

The Kõpu Lighthouse, also known as Leuchtturm Kõpu in German, is a major coastal light located on the Ristna Peninsula of Hiiumaa Island, Estonia. The official name is Kõpu tuletorn. The lighthouse guides shipping through the Irbe Strait and off Estonia's western shores.

Construction and History

The earliest records indicate that a light has been present at this site for several centuries, making it one of the oldest continuous lighthouse locations in the world. The exact construction date is unknown, with some sources speculating a mid-16th-century origin.

Architecture and Materials

The Kõpu Lighthouse is a traditional lighthouse tower situated 67 meters above sea level at its base. The focal height is 102 meters above sea level. The materials used in the construction are not specified.

Light and Navigation

The light type is major coastal light, with a white color and a group of two flashes (Fl (2) W) occurring every 10 seconds. The range of the light is 26 nautical miles, and it is referenced as C 3746 on nautical charts. The lighthouse is automated, operated by the Estonian Maritime Administration.

Accessibility and Visiting

The Kõpu Lighthouse is a recognized tourist attraction, with public access to the site. However, interior access to the tower and opening hours are not specified. Visitors typically approach by car or on foot along marked paths from the nearest settlement, Mägipe village.

Notable Views and Landscape

The surrounding landscape features the rugged Hiiumaa coastline, Kõpu Nature Reserve, and other historic sites on Hiiumaa Island.

Further Information

For more information, please visit the Estonian Maritime Administration's AtoN details page at https://nma.vta.ee/aton/2684 or the OpenStreetMap entry at https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/249448393.