Tahkuna Lighthouse, Coastal lighthouse in Tahkuna Peninsula, Estonia
Tahkuna Lighthouse is a cylindrical cast-iron tower standing at the northern tip of Hiiumaa Island, painted white with a red lantern dome on top. The structure rises 43 meters above the coastal landscape and serves as a navigation marker for ships passing through the Baltic waters.
The lighthouse was built in 1875 from French-manufactured parts, assembled under the direction of English engineer Alexander Gordon during Russian imperial rule. This international effort to establish the structure reflects how important maritime navigation was to the region at that time.
The memorial sculpture on the grounds honors the victims of the Estonia ferry disaster, connecting this navigation landmark to one of the region's most significant tragedies. Visitors walking around the tower often pause to acknowledge this solemn reminder alongside the functioning lighthouse.
The site is relatively easy to reach by road leading out to the Tahkuna Peninsula. Visiting during daylight hours gives you good views of the coastline and allows you to walk around the tower and see the memorial area comfortably.
The structure features a checkered pattern design in its metal construction that prevents moisture from seeping through the cast-iron segments. This clever engineering detail reveals the technical expertise of the Victorian engineers who created the tower.
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