Utö Lighthouse, Maritime navigation lighthouse in Pargas, Finland
Utö Lighthouse is a square granite tower on Utö island painted with red and white stripes, rising about 24 meters above the ground. The structure has red and green lanterns at the top and functions today as an automated navigation aid for ships in the archipelago.
An earlier tower from 1753 stood on this site until it was destroyed during the Russo-Swedish Wars from 1808 to 1809. The current granite tower was built in 1814 as its replacement and has remained on this location since.
The lighthouse served as a gathering place for the maritime community and remains central to island life today. Locals and visitors connect this location to the region's seafaring heritage.
The island is reachable by boat, and the lighthouse can be viewed from outside with the best views from the shore. Visitors should note that weather on the open sea can change quickly, and sturdy shoes plus weather protection are recommended.
The lighthouse painting follows the pattern of signal flag H, marking the location as a pilot station. This was a practical method for ships at sea to quickly identify what kind of support was available.
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