Ulla Lighthouse

Ulla Lighthouse (Ulla fyr) sits just off the northern tip of the island of Haramsøya in Haram Municipality, Møre og Romsdal county, Norway. It was built on a tiny rocky islet called Kvernholmen, reached from Haramsøya by a short bridge. Fishing heritage, wartime history and the rugged character of Norway's west coast all meet here in a very small space.

How did Ulla Lighthouse come to be?

The story starts with local fishermen from Haram, who in the early 1870s applied for a light to help them reach the fishing grounds and find their way home. The state approved a modest fishing light. A small plot was bought on Kvernholmen and a simple keeper's building went up, roughly 8.3 by 4.5 metres, with two small rooms and a watch room in the loft. The station was finished in autumn 1873, and the light was first lit on 25 January 1874.

How did the station grow?

In 1889 the period during which the light had to burn each year was extended. That turned the station into a family post, with the keeper living here alongside relatives, and his holding of land was enlarged. A fourth-order lens was installed in 1898, and in 1929 the light was strengthened and connected to electricity.

What happened during the Second World War?

In October 1944 allied aircraft bombed the station. The damage was heavy and was not repaired until 1950. The rebuilt station gained a reinforced concrete tower, which still defines its silhouette. In 1975 the light was automated and no longer needed a permanent crew. After the keepers left, the military leased the light from the Norwegian Coastal Administration.

Who looks after it today?

The site was protected in 2000. In 2003 the club Kystverkklubben Ullafyrets Venner, a friends-of-the-lighthouse association, took over maintenance. Volunteers run a café, organise art exhibitions and host gatherings. The station also has 22 beds, so a visit can stretch well beyond a short walk.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Ulla Lighthouse? At the northern end of Haramsøya in Haram Municipality (Møre og Romsdal, Norway), at roughly 62.685 N, 6.165 E.

How do I get there? The lighthouse stands on the islet of Kvernholmen, linked to Haramsøya by a short bridge, so the final stretch is on foot.

Can I visit the lighthouse? Volunteers run a café and exhibitions at the station. Check opening times before you go, as they may vary by season.

Can I stay overnight? Yes, the station offers 22 beds for guests.

Is the light still in operation? It has been automated since 1975 and no longer has a permanent crew.

When was it built? The light was first lit on 25 January 1874. The present station was rebuilt after the 1944 bombing.