Lindesnes Lighthouse

The Lindesnes fyr is Norway's oldest and southernmost lighthouse on the mainland. Here Norway's first beacon was lit on February 27 in 1655. Lindesnes fyr is located on the territory of the commune Lindesnes.

History

Middle Ages

Since the Middle Ages the Lindesnes fyr one of the major landmarks between the North Sea and Baltic Sea.

At the southern tip of Norway's major coastal line meets the high seas. Most sailing ships that would sail across the Skagerrak, the southern tip of investigated as a target and a starting point, especially as the coastal refuge offers many opportunities in the form of natural harbors. On the Danish side, there is, however, only the Jammerbukta (English as: " Jammerbucht " ) to find protection against weather and wind. At the end of the 15th century describes the Norwegian priest and historian Peder Friis Clausson Lindesnes as " the headland, which know all the sailors ."

The fairway to Lindesnes was still feared because there Skagerrak and North Sea meet. Strong winds and currents there are many sailing ships set to reason: the distance between Lindesnes and Lista is considered by maritime historians as a "classic shipwreck area ".

17th Century

It is no coincidence that the first beacon was lit Norway calculated in Lindesnes. The Danish King Fredrik III. was to operate the privilege of being a beacon in Lindesnes on July 18, 1655 Pouell Hansønn ( Kristiansand ). The operation was to be financed with a tax on all port inlets between mountains and Båhuslen.

The timing of the launch in the autumn 1655, however, was ill-chosen - the three materials and equipment emitted from Kristiansand ships needed more than seven weeks for the trip to Lindesnes. Also the ship, which should bring coal from England, took an inordinate amount of time; Therefore, the fire was initially built as a 3-storey wooden tower with 30 candles behind lead glass windows. This was obviously a very unconventional design; and so could not wait to be the first complaints. Even as the coal fire was finally put into operation, the king was obliged to cease fire in the fall of next year.

18th century

It was not until 69 years later, the beacon was taken on Lindesnes again. However, it was decided to set up two coal fires: That on the headland and one in Markøy, a little further west. This should avoid the confusion between the beacon of Lindesnes and Skagen (Denmark). Both fires were lit on February 1, 1725, and consisted only of an open fire pot directly on the rock.

19th century

In 1822, both fires were converted to closed coal fires. So the fire boilers were placed in a closed room lamp on a brick foundation with smoke channels, leading to a safer and more economical combustion. Both foundations of the closed coal fires are still in place today.

The fire in Markøy 1844 dismantled. 1854 the fire was rebuilt on Lindesnes; it was the first lens. Light source was a modern lamp wick with paraffin.

20th century

In 1915, the lens was moved to a newly built cast iron tower. In addition, a new engine house was built in 1920 and still installed a fog horn. In order for the fire station got the shape that it has even today.

The lighthouse had in Lindesnes a fixed occupation until the year 2003. In 1992, a foundation was set up to open the lighthouse and the beacon for visitors and maintain it. In 2000, the Lindesnes fyr was the " millennium establishment 'of the Fylke Vest -Agder elected; in consequence of a new switching station was built on the rock under the lighthouse. The Lindesnes fyr has also been proposed as the main site for a National Lighthouse Museum.

Tourism

The lighthouse is one of the most visited places in Vest- Agder, just after the zoo in Kristiansand. Every year 100,000 people climb the tower. In 2004, Norway's first lighthouse museum at Lindesnes fyr was opened.

The lighthouse today

The lighthouse is now operated by the museum; it also offered more activities and services. In the newly built, large rock hall under the present tower (including screenings ) will take place throughout the tourist season concerts, church services and activities of the commune.