Norway

Norway has a long and challenging coastline, and it has always been a need to facilitate a safe sailing route. The coast has always been the most important transport route, as Norway is full of mountains and deep fjords that make land transport difficult. 

The maritime authorities has chosen various security measures, but the greatest effort has been put into lighthouses and beacons. There have been over 220 lighthouses in Norway, and many of these still exist, and many are actually in original use as navigational device. Of the Norwegian lighthouse stations, 83 are protected, and many lighthouses are accessible to the public, they are often referred to as visitor lighthouses. As a visitor, you can spend the night at some lighthouses, while others have a cafeteria. The activity is carried out by volunteers in local lighthouse organisations, as well as some municipalities and outdoor organisations. Many of the Norwegian lighthouses still operate with Fresnell lenses and are important testimony to the great investment from the authorities throughout history to secure the coast. The lighthouses in Norway are still primarily owned by the Norwegian Coastal Administration, which is responsible for maintenance and operation.

Norway has many lighthouses made of cast iron, it was often the preferred material for the Coastal Administration during the development of the lighthouses. These characteristic towers along the coast are well worth a visit.