Songvår Lighthouse

Songvår Lighthouse is a coastal lighthouse in Kristiansand Municipality, in Norway's Agder county. It stands on the island of Hellersøya, about 7 kilometres south of the village of Høllen, at the edge of the country's southern coastline. It pairs a stark landscape of rock and sea with a piece of local maritime history.

Where is Songvår Lighthouse?

The lighthouse sits on Hellersøya, along a stretch of the Skagerrak coast long considered dangerous for shipping. The nearest village is Høllen, roughly 7 km to the north. Administratively it belongs to Kristiansand Municipality in Agder, at about 58.015° N, 7.810° E. The island is exposed to the open sea, so the weather can change very quickly.

Why was it built?

The first lighthouse went up in 1888 as a small wooden structure. It was a response to repeated wrecks in the waters between Ryvingen and Oksøy, including the 1887 loss of the whaling vessel Vardøhus, which cost many lives. The light was meant to guide sailors through one of the busiest and trickiest parts of the coast.

What is the building history?

Only the foundation of the earliest lighthouse survives. The present functionalist building dates from 1955, although some sources give a slightly earlier year. In 2004 the lighthouse was closed and replaced by a smaller automated light tower just southeast of the older building. The old lighthouse no longer serves as the main navigation light, but it still stands and remains a clear landmark on the island.

What happened here over the years?

Life as a lighthouse keeper on a remote island was hard. In December 1900, the keeper and his eldest son drowned when their boat capsized on the way to the station. His widow, Johanne Pedersen, then took over for a time, making her one of the first women to hold such a post in Norway. A foghorn was added in 1950, and in 1955 the station changed from a family-run post to one staffed by rotating keepers.

Can you stay overnight?

The station is owned by the Norwegian Coastal Administration, Kystverket. The association Songvaar fyrs venner, the Friends of Songvår Lighthouse, rents and runs it, and visitors can stay overnight in the old keeper's house. For anyone who likes remote places, it is a chance to see Norway's southern coast the way the station's residents once did. It is worth checking access and booking details with the operator in advance.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Songvår Lighthouse? On the island of Hellersøya in Kristiansand Municipality, about 7 km south of Høllen, in Agder county.

When was it built? The first lighthouse dates from 1888, and the current building from 1955.

Is the lighthouse still in operation? The old lighthouse was closed in 2004, and a smaller automated tower nearby took over the light.

Can I stay there overnight? Yes, guests can stay in the former keeper's house, run by Songvaar fyrs venner.

Who owns it? Kystverket owns it, and the association looks after and operates it.

Why was a lighthouse built here? Because of the many shipwrecks along this part of the coast, between Ryvingen and Oksøy.