Tankar Lighthouse, Maritime lighthouse on Tankar Island near Kokkola, Finland
Tankar Lighthouse is an iron structure standing about 30 meters tall on an island near Kokkola and guides vessels through the shipping lane to the port. The site includes the tower along with several outbuildings that demonstrate daily life at this island station.
The lighthouse was built in 1888 and initially used rapeseed oil for illumination before switching to electric power in 1961. This conversion made the light reach farther and guide ships more effectively.
The complex holds wooden buildings that once housed lighthouse keepers, pilots, and fishermen, along with a wooden church built in 1754 for island residents. These structures show how people lived and worked together in this remote location.
The island is reachable during summer months from June through September with regular boat trips departing from a local harbor in Kokkola. Wear sturdy shoes since the island is rocky and you may walk between various buildings to explore the site.
The exact origin of the iron tower remains a mystery, with theories suggesting possible involvement by the Eiffel Engineering Company or German manufacturers. This uncertainty about its source makes the structure a puzzling monument with several possible backstories.
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