Name and Location

Stora Karlsö Lighthouse stands on the western tip of the nature-reserve island Stora Karlsö, off the southwest coast of Gotland, Sweden. The lighthouse is located at Eksta Stora Karlsö 867, 623 54 Klintehamn, Gotlands län, Sweden, with coordinates 57°17′23″ N, 17°57′32″ E (decimal 57.2896468, 17.9587849).

Construction and History

The Stora Karlsö Lighthouse was first lit in the late 19th century. The exact year of its construction is not specified, but it is mentioned that records do not name a specific architect. The lighthouse follows the standard late-19th-century Swedish masonry design.

Architecture and Materials

The tower height is approximately 18 meters (59 feet) above base, with a focal plane height of around 63 meters (207 feet) above sea level. The tower is made of locally quarried limestone masonry, with a granite foundation and a cast-iron lantern room.

Light and Navigation

The lighthouse remains an active navigational aid operated by the Swedish Maritime Administration (Sjöfartsverket). The light characteristic is not publicly published; mariners should consult current Swedish Notice to Mariners or official nautical charts for precise pattern and sectors. The nominal range of the light is around 15 nautical miles, subject to atmospheric conditions.

Accessibility and Visiting

The lighthouse is not open to public visitors, but visitors can view the exterior and take photographs from designated viewpoints. The nearest ferry port is Klintehamn (approximately 6 kilometers east on Gotland mainland). On-site facilities include a visitor center with café and small exhibition about the island's natural and cultural history; guided walks are available.

Notable Views and Landscape

Stora Karlsö is famed for its dramatic limestone cliff faces, rich seabird colonies (notably razorbills and common guillemots), and rare orchids. Boat excursions depart daily from Klintehamn (May-September) and run by local tour operators.

Anecdotes and Folklore

During World War II, Stora Karlsö served as an observation post against mine-laying submarines in the Baltic. Keeper lore tells of a mid-20th-century "ice winter" when ice floes blocked supply boats and keepers were resupplied by skis and dog sled from Gotland.

Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse was automated in 1974, with no resident keeper since then. The power source is mains electricity (cable from Gotland mainland) with diesel-generator standby. There is no radar antenna installed on the tower; AIS AtoN broadcast nominal. Chart references include Swedish Sjökarte series and publications of the Swedish Maritime Administration.

Further Information

For further information, consult the Swedish Maritime Administration (Sjöfartsverket), Gotland County Administrative Board's Stora Karlsö nature reserve webpage, or Wikidata entry: https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q24641188.