Söderskär Lighthouse

The Söderskär lighthouse (Finnish: Söderskärin majakka, Swedish: Söderskär fyr) is a decommissioned 19th-century lighthouse in the outer Porvoo archipelago of the Gulf of Finland.[1] It was built in 1862, replacing an earlier unilluminated daymark, automated in 1957, and decommissioned in 1989.[2][3]

Söderskär Lighthouse
Söderskär lighthouse and island in 2005
Söderskär Lighthouse
LocationGulf of Finland, Baltic Sea
Coordinates60.10937°N 25.40994°E / 60.10937; 25.40994
Year first constructed1862
Automated1957 
Deactivated1989 
Tower height32.5 metre 
Focal height40 metre 
CharacteristicExting 
Heritageprotected by the law on the protection of the architectural heritage in Finland 

The lighthouse is situated on a small islet, known as Majakkasaari (lit. 'Lighthouse Island'). Connected to it by a footbridge is another islet, Luotsisaari ('Pilot Island'), where a pilot station was based since before the construction of the current lighthouse. Three lighthouse keepers, with their families, and on-duty pilots used to reside on the islets, until the lighthouse was automated.[4][5]

The lighthouse was designed by architect Ernst Lohrmann.[3] The tower is octagonal in shape, and comprises six storeys.[3] The lighthouse is 32.5 metres (107 ft) tall, and constructed of granite up to 8.6 metres (28 ft) height, with brick-and-mortar above that.[5] In the early years of the 20th century it was discovered that the tower swayed in strong wind, and was also leaning to one side; consequently, in 1914-1917 a steel and concrete 'girdle' was added to stabilise the structure.[5][4]

The light source is 40 metres (130 ft) above mean sea level.[5] The light is equipped with a Fresnel lens, and when commissioned, Söderskär was renowned for its exceptionally bright and long-range light.[3][5]

The lighthouse itself is now privately owned, having been sold by the government in 2003.[4] The building is protected by the Finnish Heritage Agency, meaning that no exterior or interior alterations are allowed, and the technical equipment may not be removed without permission.[2]

Tove Jansson is said to have used Söderskär as a model when writing the lighthouse island of the book Moominpappa at Sea.[6][7][8]

  • Aerial view of Majakkasaari, with Luotsisaari behind
  • View from the top of the tower, showing the residential and service buildings
  • Söderskär lighthouse tower
  • Söderskär light and Fresnel lens

References
  1. "Söderskär's Lighthouse". soderskar.fi. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  2. "Söderskärin majakka suojeltiin" (in Finnish). Yle. 22 June 2010. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  3. "Söderskär". Majakkaseura.fi (in Finnish). Suomen Majakkaseura (Finnish Lighthouse Society). Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  4. "Historia". Soderskar.fi (in Finnish). Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  5. "Söderskärin majakka". reijoheikkinen.fi (in Finnish). Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  6. Söderskär Lighthouse – Helsinki This Week
  7. Svenska YLE: Unika illustrationer av Tove Jansson utställda i Söderskärs fyr (in Swedish)
  8. Tove Janssonin jäljillä Söderskarin majakalla (in Finnish)
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