Oviši lighthouse

Built in 1814 or 1844
Tower height – 37 m
Altitude – 38 m
The flashing light is visible 15 nautical miles distant

The oldest lighthouse in Latvia – the Oviši lighthouse – is located on the Oviši promontory 360m from the shoreline. The lighthouse is still active and has been included in the list of national protected cultural monuments.

The previous name of the lighthouse – Lisere or Luserorta promontory – existed until 1917. Lysa in Swedish means to burn, but ort – place or horn. Already since the 11th century bonfires or tar barrels have been burned here as a mark of orientation. The Oviši lighthouse stands also for coastal shallows of the same name and indicates the shoreline’s change of direction.

The lighthouse construction began in 1809 but the war against Napoleon’s troops in 1912 interrupted it. The construction was completed in 1814. The lighthouse is built on wooden stilts by using red bricks and certain stones. It is built as a wide, conical tower in the form of a massive stone cylinder. The tower has a dual cylinder structure: the diameter of the stone wall is 11.5m while the diameter of the inner cylinder is 3.5m. Such dual cylinder lighthouses were used as defensive constructions in case of enemy attacks in the 18th and 19th century. The lighthouse tower is 37 meters high.

In case working hours does not suit to you timetable, feel free to call, maybe we can arrange your visit another time,  (+371) 26264616.
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