Name and Location

The Miķeļbāka Lighthouse is located in Latvia, specifically at Bāka, Miķeļtornis, Tārgales pagasts, Ventspils novads, LV-3601. Its coordinates are 57 °35′59.07″ N, 21 °58′27.96″ E.

Construction and History

The exact year of the lighthouse's first lighting is not documented in available sources. The operation is currently fully automated, with no recorded keeper logs. Local folklore suggests that some fishermen have seen "guiding lights" off-shore on misty nights, possibly reflections from Miķeļbāka.

Architecture and Materials

The Miķeļbāka Lighthouse stands 56 meters tall above its base and has a focal plane of 59 meters above mean sea level. The structure is made of masonry or reinforced concrete, but official records on the materials used are not available. The lighthouse's appearance is reportedly unpainted or whitewashed.

Light and Navigation

The Miķeļbāka Lighthouse features a minor navigational light with a flashing white light that follows a group pattern of "1 + (1) + 1 + (3)" every six seconds. The range of the light is 14 nautical miles, making it an important aid to navigation in the region.

Accessibility and Visiting

The lighthouse does not have an official visitor center or public access to the tower. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the sandy Baltic shoreline, dune landscape, and adjacent pine-birch coastal forest from the base of the lighthouse. The closest amenities are small guesthouses and beach cafés in Miķeļtornis village, about 1-2 kilometers south.

Notable Views and Landscape

From the base of the lighthouse, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the sandy Baltic shoreline, dune landscape, adjacent pine-birch coastal forest, and on a clear day, distant shipping on the Gulf of Riga.

Anecdotes and Folklore

Locals have reported seeing "guiding lights" off-shore on misty nights, possibly reflections from Miķeļbāka. These stories add to the rich maritime heritage of the region.

Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse is an active automated navigational aid managed by the Latvian Maritime Administration. It has a radar transponder installed, transmitting the signal group "M" (dash-dash).

Further Information

For more information on notices to mariners, visit the Latvian Maritime Administration website at www.am.gov.lv. Further reading can be found in US NGA Pub. 116 (2011-07-07) and OpenStreetMap: way/228154181 (GeoJSON center point).