Ruhnu lighthouse, Maritime lighthouse in Ruhnu Island, Estonia.
Ruhnu lighthouse is a cast iron structure on the island of the same name in Estonia, rising 40 meters above Håubjärre Hill with a cylindrical tower design. Four supporting counterforts stabilize the tower, and a red lantern room crowns the top of the construction.
The structure was built in 1877 by a French metalworking foundry and underwent major renovation after suffering war damage in the 1930s. This restoration allowed the lighthouse to continue serving mariners for over a century.
The lighthouse displays French industrial craftsmanship from the late 19th century and connects the island to European maritime engineering. Local stories tie this structure to the technological innovations that linked the island to seafaring traditions.
The lighthouse stands on an island accessible only by ferry from the mainland, so visitors need to arrange passage in advance. Guided tours operate mainly during warmer months and should be booked before arrival.
This is the only remaining example of its kind of cast metal construction still standing in the entire Baltic Sea region. Its rarity makes it a special testament to French engineering from that era.
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