Russarö Lighthouse

Russarö Lighthouse
Russarö
	Russarö lighthouse in 2013
Location	Gulf of Finland, Baltic Sea
Coordinates	59°46′24″N 22°56′36″E / 59.773333°N 22.943333°E
Tower
Constructed	1863
Foundation	Granite
Construction	Brick
Automated	1949
Height	21 m (69 ft)
Shape	Octagonal
Markings	Red
Power source	electricity
Light
First lit	1863
Focal height	34.2 m (112 ft)
Range	16.9 nmi (31.3 km; 19.4 mi)
Characteristic	Fl(4) W 45s

Russarö Lighthouse (Finnish: Russarön majakka, Swedish: Russarö fyr) is a lighthouse situated on the island of Russarö, outside Hanko, Finland, at the western extremity of the Gulf of Finland in the Baltic Sea.^[1]^[2] It is commonly known as Hangon silmä (lit. 'The Eye of Hanko').^[3]

Earlier unilluminated daymarks and lighthouses existed on the spot, dating back to 1815.^[2] The current lighthouse was built in 1863, making it one of the oldest surviving lighthouses in Finland.^[3] It was the first in Finland to operate also during winter months, due to the Port of Hanko being in the 19th century the only port open throughout the year.^[1]

Constructed of bricks and mortar over a granite base, the lighthouse is octagonal in shape and comprises five storeys.^[3] The top floor features a beautiful vaulted ceiling.^[1] The base is natural stone colour (brown), the main tower red.^[2]

In the summer months, day cruises to the island of Russarö are operated from Hanko's Eastern Harbour.^[3] However, due to the dilapidated state of the lighthouse, visitors are no longer allowed entry into the tower.^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "Russarö". Majakkaseura.fi (in Finnish). Finnish Lighthouse Society. 21 March 2017. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
^ ^a ^b ^c Selitys Tulimajakoista, Tunnusmajakoista ja muista Merirasteista pitkin Suomen rannikkoa Koiviston salmelta Wiipurin läänissä Tornion kaupunkiin (in Finnish). Helsinki, Grand Duchy of Finland: Suomen luotsi- ja majakkalaitoksen Ylihallitus. 1891. Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "Risteilyjä Russaröhön". VisitHanko.fi (in Finnish). City of Hanko Tourist Office. Archived from the original on 9 February 2021. Retrieved 9 February 2021.

[ms-1] "Russarö". Majakkaseura.fi (in Finnish). Finnish Lighthouse Society. 21 March 2017. Retrieved 9 February 2021.

[mm-2] Selitys Tulimajakoista, Tunnusmajakoista ja muista Merirasteista pitkin Suomen rannikkoa Koiviston salmelta Wiipurin läänissä Tornion kaupunkiin (in Finnish). Helsinki, Grand Duchy of Finland: Suomen luotsi- ja majakkalaitoksen Ylihallitus. 1891. Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 9 February 2021.

[vh-3] "Risteilyjä Russaröhön". VisitHanko.fi (in Finnish). City of Hanko Tourist Office. Archived from the original on 9 February 2021. Retrieved 9 February 2021.

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