Name and Location

The Ölands Norra Udde Lighthouse, also known as Långe Erik, is a coastal lighthouse located at Holmvägen 101, 387 75 Byxelkrok, Borgholm Municipality, Kalmar County, Sweden. The official name of the lighthouse is Ölands Norra Udde, while its seamark name is Olands Norra Udde. Its coordinates are 57°22′01″ N, 17°05′49″ E (lat 57.3670395, lon 17.0969299).

Construction and History

The lighthouse was built in the mid-19th century to serve as a guiding light for increased maritime traffic in the Kalmar Strait. The cylindrical limestone tower was completed and first illuminated in 1845. Throughout the 20th century, the light was electrified and eventually automated, no longer staffed by keepers.

Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse is constructed from locally quarried limestone with a cast-iron lantern housing. Its style is classic mid-19th-century Scandinavian design. The tower shape is cylindrical, tapering slightly toward the top, with an external gallery/balcony and lantern room.

Light and Navigation

The lighthouse emits a group flashing of four white flashes every 15 seconds (Fl(4) W 15 s). The light characteristic consists of 0.4-second flash followed by 2.1 seconds of eclipse, repeated four times, then an additional 7.1 seconds of eclipse. The nominal range is 14 nautical miles, and the light sectors are visible from bearing 048° to 318°.

Accessibility and Visiting

The lighthouse grounds and tower are open to visitors during the summer season (typically mid-June to mid-August). Entrance fees apply for tower climbing, staffed by seasonal guides. The opening hours are daily, approximately 10:00-17:00 (check local tourist office for exact dates).

Notable Views and Landscape

From the lighthouse site, visitors can enjoy panoramic views over the Kalmar Strait and mainland coast on clear days. Nearby attractions include Nabbelund harbour with historic pilot station buildings, Trollskogen nature reserve famous for wind-twisted pines and prehistoric remains, and coastal fishing villages along Öland's east coast.

Anecdotes and Folklore

Locals know the lighthouse as Långe Erik in playful contrast to Ölands södra udde lighthouse ("Långe Jan") at the island's southern tip. Folklore recalls lighthouse keepers battling fierce storms, with some accounts describing shipwreck survivors being rescued at the lighthouse rocks.

Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse is owned by Svenska staten (the Swedish State) and operated by Statens fastighetsverk (National Property Board Sweden) & Sjöfartsverket (Swedish Maritime Administration). The light has been automated, with night-to-night operation and monitoring remotely controlled.

Further Information

For further information on the Ölands Norra Udde Lighthouse, visit Wikipedia (en): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Länge_Erik.