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Fårö Fyr

FÅRÖ HOLMUDDEN 6226, 624 67 Fårö, Sweden

Name and Location

The Fårö Fyr Lighthouse is located on the island of Fårö, Sweden. It has been guiding mariners since 1847.

Construction and History

The construction of the Fårö Fyr began in 1845, with the lighthouse being officially opened on June 15, 1847. The original purpose of the lighthouse was to guide ships navigating the Baltic Sea and provide safe passage through the treacherous waters surrounding Gotland Island. Over the years, the lighthouse has undergone several renovations and upgrades, including the installation of a new Fresnel lens in 1872.

Architecture and Materials

The Fårö Fyr's architecture is characterized by its masonry tower, which rises 24 meters above the surrounding terrain. The tower is topped with a red lantern room, featuring a distinctive octagonal shape and a height of 31 meters. The lighthouse's structure is designed to withstand harsh marine conditions, including strong winds and sea spray.

Light and Navigation

The Fårö Fyr is equipped with a rare four-light system, which features Iso-beam lights in red and white colors. The light characteristics are as follows:

  • Light 1: Red Iso beam with a range of 13 nautical miles, period of 8 seconds, and sector start/end points at 007.5° and 089.5° respectively.
  • Light 2: White Iso beam with a range of 16 nautical miles, period of 8 seconds, and sector start/end points at 089.5° and 175.5° respectively.
  • Light 3: Red Iso beam with a range of 13 nautical miles, period of 8 seconds, and sector start/end points at 175.5° and 194.5° respectively.
  • Light 4: White Iso beam with a range of 16 nautical miles, period of 8 seconds, and sector start/end points at 194.5° and 007.5° respectively.

Accessibility and Visiting

Visitors can access the Fårö Fyr via a walking trail that leads from the island's main village to the lighthouse site. The site offers stunning views of the surrounding Baltic Sea and the Gotland coastline.

Notable Views and Landscape

The Fårö Fyr is situated in a picturesque location, offering breathtaking views of the Baltic Sea and the Gotland coastline.

Technical and Operational Details

The Fårö Fyr was originally operated manually by lighthouse keepers, who were responsible for ensuring the light's proper functioning. In recent years, the lighthouse has been automated, eliminating the need for human maintenance.

Further Information

For further reading:

  • US NGA Pub. 116 (2021-03-27)
  • Maritime Museum of Gotland

Details

NameFårö Fyr
City
CountrySweden
Coordinates57.9595651, 19.3492239
Year of construction1847
Historic significancetestament to Sweden's rich maritime history and role in guiding mariners since 1847
Architectural stylemasonry tower
Construction material"masonry"
Focal height31
Tower height24
Heritage statustrue
Renovationsinstallation of a new Fresnel lens in 1872
Access descriptionvia a walking trail that leads from the island's main village to the lighthouse site
Accessibletrue
View descriptionstunning views of the surrounding Baltic Sea and the Gotland coastline
Facilitiestoilets
Nearby attractions["Maritime Museum of Gotland"]
AIS Radarfalse
Light characteristic{"lights":[{"color":"red","range":13,"period":8,"start":7.5,"end":89.5},{"color":"white","range":16,"period":8,"start":89.5,"end":175.5},{"color":"red","range":13,"period":8,"start":175.5,"end":194.5},{"color":"white","range":16,"period":8,"start":194.5,"end":7.5}]}
Automatedtrue