Ulkokalla Lighthouse, Coastal lighthouse on Ulkokalla island, Kalajoki, Finland
Ulkokalla Lighthouse is a coastal lighthouse on the small island of Ulkokalla, in the municipality of Kalajoki in northern Finland, built from brick with a lantern room at its top. It sits on a low, flat rocky islet in the Bothnian Bay and acts as a navigation aid for ships crossing this part of the Gulf of Bothnia.
The tower was designed by architect Hampus Dalström in 1871 and began operating in 1872 with a Fresnel lens system brought from France. The structure has changed little since then and is considered one of the well-kept examples of 19th-century Finnish lighthouse architecture.
The name Ulkokalla refers to the remote, rocky nature of the island, reflecting the Finnish tradition of naming sea markers after their geographic character. Visitors notice right away how everything on the island is oriented toward the sea and its needs.
The island is only reachable by boat, and the crossing can be demanding depending on weather and season. It is worth checking local conditions in advance and going with an experienced skipper or an organized trip.
Since 1986, the tower has run entirely on wind and solar power, making it one of the early examples of renewable energy use in Finnish maritime marking history. The light signal sends out three white flashes in a fixed rhythm that sailors can recognize from a distance.
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