Name and Location

The Svörtuloft Lighthouse, also known as Svörtuloftaviti in Icelandic, is a minor coastal light located on the western entrance to Breiðafjörður bay on the northern side of the Snæfellsnes peninsula in western Iceland. Its official address is Svörtuloftaviti, 356 Snæfellsbær, Iceland.

Construction and History

The exact date of construction for the Svörtuloft Lighthouse is unknown, but it likely dates back to the mid-20th century. The lighthouse has been fully automated since its decommissioning of manned service, with no permanent keepers.

Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse structure consists of a cylindrical service tower rising from a three-story service building. It stands 28 meters tall, with a focal plane height of 30 meters above mean high water. The exterior is painted orange-red, with a reinforced concrete construction in a utilitarian modern design typical of Icelandic coastal lights.

Light and Navigation

The lighthouse emits a group flashing light characteristic, consisting of two white flashes every 10 seconds (Fl(2) W 10 s). The nominal range is 11 nautical miles. It is powered by mains electricity backed by battery, with an automated lamp-changer system.

Accessibility and Visiting

The site is on private-administered land but visible from coastal footpaths. The tower itself is closed to visitors. Public access is available via a rough gravel track leading from Route 579 to a parking area 200 meters from the cliff edge. Sturdy footwear is recommended due to strong coastal winds.

Notable Views and Landscape

The lighthouse offers a panoramic vista of the North Atlantic, distant rock stacks, and the Snæfellsjökull glacier. Nearby points of interest include Djúpalónssandur black-pebble beach (5 km east), Malarrif lava fields and lighthouse (4 km east), and the Snæfellsjökull National Park visitor center (15 km east).

Anecdotes and Folklore

The name "Svörtuloft" translates to "black loft" or "black air," likely referring to the dark basalt cliffs rising above the sea. Local legend has it that fishermen once believed the headland's shadow on fog-shrouded nights was an omen of storm or shipwreck.

Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse is managed by the Icelandic Maritime Administration (Siglingastofnun Íslands). Chart references include Icelandic chart "Breiðafjarðarhöfn" and international charts B4538. The site does not have a dedicated RACON or radar beacon, but positions are broadcast by coastal AIS network.

Further Information

• For more information on the Svörtuloft Lighthouse, visit the United States NGA List of Lights, Pub. 115 (2010-09-09), the Siglingastofnun Íslands – Lighthouse Directory (in Icelandic), or OpenStreetMap entry.