Marstein Lighthouse is a active lighthouse in the municipality of Austevoll, Norway. It is located on a small island on the south side of the entrance of the Korsfjord and therefore assists ships going to both Bergen and the Hardangerfjord.
The Marstein lighthouse consists of a 17m (56 ft) square masonry tower with a single storey building attached. The original octagon shaped lighthouse on the site was built in 1887.
During World War II the island and lighthouse were occupied by German forces. Allied aircraft bombed the lighthouse on two occasions,July 25 and August 1,1940, and caused considerable damage. The lighthouse was restored during 1949 and 1950 with a square tower, a new keepers house and a surrounding, protective, bulkhead being erected.
The lighthouse was automated in 2002. In January 2005, a severe storm breached the bulkhead wall and destroyed the keepers house. After the keepers house was repaired its ownership transferred to the local Austevoll Kommune who offer helicopter tours to the site for organized groups.
Famous quotes containing the word lighthouse:
“This lighthouse was the cynosure of all eyes.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)