Our initial intent was to describe, in great detail, the 105 Lighthouses of Iceland. But our attention was soon redirected when we learned of Þrídrangaviti.
Without a doubt, Þrídrangaviti is one of the most dramatic, unique and visually stunning lighthouses in Icelandic territory. The lighthouse is built atop an enormous, 120-foot basalt stack in the Westman Islands, approximately 4.5 miles from the mainland.
Work began on the lighthouse in 1938. Naturally, this was a task easier said than done. Mountaineers and hikers—almost exclusively from the Westman Islands—scaled the cliffsides to create a makeshift trail, all the while combating slippery rocks, breathtaking heights and furious winds.
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Þrídrangaviti Lighthouse (transliterated as Thridrangaviti) is an active lighthouse 7.2 kilometres (4.5 miles) off the southwest coast of Iceland, in the archipelago of Vestmannaeyjar. It is often described as one of the most isolated lighthouses in the world. Þrídrangar means “three rock pillars”, referring to the three named sea stacks at that location: Stóridrangur (on which the lighthouse stands), Þúfudrangur, and Klofadrangur. The lighthouse was commissioned on 5 July 1942.
The lighthouse building is situated about 30 metres (98 ft) above the sea
The building is 4 metres (13 ft) square concrete whitewashed single-storey hut, with a roof that resembles a battlement on a medieval castle tower, including embrasure-like openings. The red lantern sits on the roof and is 4 metres (13 ft) high.
The light is 34 metres (112 ft) above the sea (its focal plane), which determines the “height of sight”,[10] meaning the light beam is first visible at sea level from 16.7 kilometres (9.0 nautical miles; 10.4 miles).
The beam is a long white flash followed by a short white flash every 30s.
The lighthouse Admiralty No. is L4802
Wikipedia / image by voilier.evidence@gma…, CC BY 3.0
Guard duty at this lighthouse is probably not the best job for anyone with a tendency to go sleepwalking.
The solitary structure, sitting some 120ft above the raging North Atlantic sea was built in 1939 (without helicopters), which makes imagining how they ever built this place, even more impossible.
The Icelandic band KALEO released a music video recorded on the helipad, on 5 July 2020, the light’s 78th anniversary, soon after the start of COVID when the public was isolating and online interest in remote habitations was trending.
One reply on “Þrídrangaviti Lighthouse”
WLBOTT, if you really want the contract, you need to demonstrate expertise in light-house-keeping.