Skomvær Lighthouse

Skomvær Lighthouse is one of the most remote lighthouses in Norway. It stands on the tiny island of Skomvær in Røst Municipality, Nordland county, north of the Arctic Circle. About 15 to 17 kilometres of open Norwegian Sea separate it from Røstlandet, the main island of the archipelago.

Where is Skomvær and what is it like?

The island belongs to the sprawling Røst archipelago, made up of hundreds of islands, islets and skerries. The area is part of the Røstøya protected landscape. Skomvær lies at the southwestern edge of the group, so the lighthouse is the last landmark on the ocean side. The tower is roughly 31.7 metres tall, cast in iron and set on a stone base. Its light flashes twice every 30 seconds.

Why was it built?

The light was first lit in 1887. It was built to guide ships along a growing coastal route, including the timber trade from Arkhangelsk. Construction took three summers. The station housed one lighthouse keeper and two assistants, each with a family, making the island a small self-contained community in the middle of the sea.

Who lived here?

From 1887 to 1889 the Norwegian painter and illustrator Theodor Kittelsen stayed on Skomvær, according to the Store norske leksikon encyclopedia.

How did the station change?

• 1932 – a foghorn and an additional light were added.
• 1957 – the station changed from a family station to a relay station and was powered by diesel generators.
• 1978 – the lighthouse was automated and permanent staff left the island.
• 1999 – the area was listed as a protected site.

Sources differ on the later fate of the light itself, so check its current status before visiting. The lighthouse is state-owned and administered through the Coastguard.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Skomvær Lighthouse? On Skomvær island, about 15 km southwest of Røstlandet, in Røst Municipality, Nordland county, Norway.

When was it built? The light was first established in 1887.

Is the lighthouse staffed? No. It was automated in 1978 and no keepers have lived there since.

Is the site protected? Yes. The area was listed as a protected site in 1999, and the island lies within the Røstøya protected landscape.

Is it easy to reach? The island sits in open sea away from main routes. Getting there requires sea transport from Røst and good weather, so arrange the trip locally in advance.

Why it is worth knowing

Skomvær shows what life was like for lighthouse crews at the edge of Norway: families, years of construction and isolation from the mainland. For anyone interested in maritime history, technical coastal architecture and the raw landscape of the north, it is a distinctive point on the map of the Røst archipelago.