Name and Location

The Virtsu Sihi Ülemine Tulepaak (Upper Virtsu Lighthouse) is located in Virtsu, Pärnu County, Estonia.

2. Construction and History

The exact year of construction for the Virtsu Sihi Ülemine Tulepaak is unknown, but it is believed to have been built in the late 19th or early 20th century. Originally used as a beacon to guide ships through the narrow strait between the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Riga.

3. Architecture and Materials

The Virtsu Sihi Ülemine Tulepaak is a small, squat structure made of stone with a pyramidal shape. It stands approximately 15 meters (49 feet) tall, with a focal height of about 13 meters (43 feet) above sea level.

4. Light and Navigation

The lighthouse's light characteristic is not well-documented, but it is believed to have been a simple flashing white light with a range of around 10 nautical miles (18 kilometers).

5. Accessibility and Visiting

Visitors can access the Virtsu Sihi Ülemine Tulepaak by following signs from the town center of Virtsu to Metsa tn 27a, where the lighthouse is located. The nearest airport is located in Tallinn, approximately 200 kilometers (124 miles) away.

6. Notable Views and Landscape

The lighthouse stands at the mouth of the Võru River, which flows into the Gulf of Riga. The surrounding landscape is characterized by flat coastal plains and sandy beaches.

7. Anecdotes and Folklore

No anecdotes or folklore available for this lighthouse.

8. Technical and Operational Details

The Virtsu Sihi Ülemine Tulepaak was once an automated lighthouse, but its status is currently unknown. Today, the structure serves as a non-functional relic of Estonia's maritime past.

9. Further Information

References: 1. Estonian Maritime Administration (24.03.2010). https://nma.vta.ee/aton/">https://nma.vta.ee/aton/