Træna Lighthouse

Træna Lighthouse (Træna fyr) stands on the islet of Sørholmen in Træna Municipality, Nordland county, Norway. A coastal light, it has guided ships since 1877 along one of the most exposed stretches of the Norwegian coast.

Where is Træna Lighthouse?

Sørholmen lies in the Trænfjorden, about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) southwest of Husøya, the main island of the Træna archipelago. The village on the island of Lovund, part of Lurøy Municipality, is roughly 17 kilometres (11 mi) to the east. The coordinates are about 66.43° N, 11.97° E, just north of the Arctic Circle. The lighthouse sits at the very edge of the land, open to the full force of the sea.

Why was it built here?

In 1874 the Norwegian lighthouse director pointed out that a powerful light was missing on the stretch between Villa in Nord-Trøndelag and Andenes in Vesterålen, a distance of more than 330 nautical miles. By comparison, coastal lights in southern Norway stood on average 25 to 30 nautical miles apart. Træna Lighthouse was meant to close that gap and make navigation along the northern coast safer.

What does it look like, and how was it built?

Construction on the exposed rock took two years, and the station began operating in 1877. Builders laid a granite base and mounted a cast-iron tower about 18 metres high on top of it. Two granite keepers' houses were added, one on each side of the base. Sources give slightly different dimensions for the finished tower: Wikipedia lists a height of 21.1 metres and a focal height of 36.8 metres above sea level, while the Norwegian encyclopedia SNL gives 22.5 metres and 36.7 metres.

How has the lighthouse changed over time?

Storms damaged the station in 1884, 1889, 1898 and 1901. After the last of these, the station was converted and the dwelling was rebuilt. The light was strengthened in 1924, and in 1960 it was electrified, with power from diesel generators. In 1974 the lighthouse was automated and left unmanned. The lens and lantern were removed and replaced with a PRB lamp powered by a wind-driven generator.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Træna Lighthouse? On the island of Sørholmen in Træna Municipality, Nordland county, Norway, about 10 km southwest of Husøya.

When was Træna Lighthouse built? Construction took two years, and the light entered service in 1877.

What is it made of? The tower is cast iron, set on a granite base with two granite keepers' houses beside it.

Is the lighthouse still staffed? No. It has been automated since 1974 and has no permanent crew.

How tall is the tower? Depending on the source, between about 21 and 22.5 metres, with the light around 37 metres above sea level.

Why build it on such a remote islet? The coast lacked a powerful light over more than 330 nautical miles between Villa and Andenes, and Træna Lighthouse was built to fill that gap.