Name and Location

Andenes fyr stands at the northern tip of the island of Andøya, marking the entrance to the Vestfjorden and aiding coastal traffic along Norway's Nordland coast. Its official name is Andenes fyr, and its address is Hamnegata 2A, 8480 Andenes, Andøy, Nordland, Norway. The coordinates are 69°19′26″ N, 16°06′57″ E.

Construction and History

The first light was established in 1859 with a wooden tower. The current tower was erected in 1877. The lighthouse was automated from 1972 to 1973, and it is no longer manned by resident keepers. It has been protected by the Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage (Riksantikvaren) since 1998.

Architecture and Materials

The tower design is attributed to an unknown architect, typical of late-19th-century cast-iron modular construction. The construction materials are cast-iron plates bolted around a brick/stone core with a masonry foundation. The tower shape and markings are cylindrical with a height of 40.3 meters and a focal height of approximately 40 meters above mean sea level.

Light and Navigation

The light characteristic is white flashes, two every 15 seconds. The nominal range is approximately 18 nautical miles (33 kilometers). The power and optics are rotating Fresnel lens apparatus powered by mains electricity with battery backup. There is no radar on the lantern; coastal AIS stations in the region provide electronic traffic monitoring.

Accessibility and Visiting

The grounds around the lighthouse are open year-round, but entrance to the tower is generally prohibited for safety reasons. The nearest village, Andenes, lies 1 kilometer to the south with a paved road from E10 and limited parking at the site. Nearby facilities include Andøy Museum/Lofoten Vikingmuseum (open summer), whale-watching excursion operators, and a café in Andenes village.

Notable Views and Landscape

The lighthouse sits on a rocky promontory overlooking Vestfjorden to the west and the rising slopes of Andøya to the east. The surrounding environment is characterized by windswept heath, low grassy tundra, and scree slopes with seabirds nesting on nearby cliffs. Panoramic views include the sea-scape across Vestfjorden toward the Lofoten archipelago; in summer, the midnight sun is visible, while in autumn-winter, the northern lights can be seen.

Anecdotes and Folklore

Local folklore tells of watching the lights of passing fishing boats as signals to cows left grazing on the headland. Former keepers' quarters, now private or storage, once housed lighthouse keepers and families until automation in 1972.

Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse is still operational as an official coastal light under the authority of the Norwegian Coastal Administration (Kystverket). It appears on Norwegian charts No. 2201 (Sortland-Andøya) and the international Sailing Directions NP 4 "The Norwegian Coast." Admiralty number B0844; NGA List of Lights US 1140.

Further Information

Managed by Kystverket, with museum partner Nordland fylkeskommune/Andøy Museum. For further reading, visit Wikipedia (Norwegian), Norsk Fyrhistorisk Forening, Riksantikvaren listing, and OpenStreetMap contributors.