Name and Location

Lindesnes Fyr (Lindesnes Lighthouse) is located at the southernmost tip of Norway's mainland, marking the end of the Lindesnes peninsula. The address is Lindesnesveien 1139, 4521 Spangereid, Lindesnes Municipality, Agder, Norway. The coordinates are 57°58′56″ N, 7°02′48″ E (57.9824978, 7.0466733).

2. Construction and History

Lindesnes Fyr was established in 1656 as a simple coal-fire beacon on a wooden platform. In 1822, the station was replaced by a 26 m-high cylindrical masonry tower. A cast-iron clad tower was installed in 1915 to improve focal height and weather resilience. The lighthouse was electrified in the 1950s and automated in 2003.

3. Architecture and Materials

The current tower is made of cast-iron plates on a masonry base, with a height of 16.1 m (vertical length) and a focal height of 66.1 m above sea level. The finish is white with a gallery and red lantern roof. The materials used are cast-iron shell, masonry foundation, and steel lantern room glazing.

4. Light and Navigation

The lighthouse is officially referred to as Kystverket reference 082200 and is classified as a light_major seamark. It has a characteristic of one white flash every 20 seconds (FFl W 20 s—omnidirectional) with a nominal range of 18.8 nautical miles. The sectors are 0°–360°, indicating it is a full-circle light.

5. Accessibility and Visiting

The lighthouse is managed by the Norwegian Coastal Administration (Kystverket) in partnership with Lindesnes Fyr AS. Visitors can access the site through the following facilities: Lighthouse Museum (exhibits on maritime history and coastal ecology), Café & gift shop in former keeper's quarters, guided tower climbs, and overnight accommodation in restored keeper's houses ("Fyrhotell"). The opening hours are mid-May to mid-September daily, with winter weekends and by appointment.

6. Notable Views and Landscape

The lighthouse is situated on a rocky promontory offering open views of the sea on three sides. Nearby attractions include Lindesnes Nature Centre, Grytesanden Beach (a popular spot for swimming and bird-watching), and coastal hiking trails along rugged shoreline and shell beaches.

7. Anecdotes and Folklore

Locally known as "The Gate to the Ocean", old keeper diaries mention frequent shipwrecks on "Sørnes reef" before the lighthouse's erection, emphasizing the importance of this navigation aid.

8. Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse is listed and protected under the Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage. The official Kystverket reference is 082200, with a chart reference of Norwegian charts (e.g., NGA ENG Chart 2320) and Admiralty NP 7. AIS transmission is available on site.

9. Further Information

For further information, visit the Norwegian Coastal Administration website at https://www.kystverket.no/lindesnesfyr or the Lindesnes Fyr Official Site at https://www.lindesnesfyr.no.