Gotska Sandön Lighthouse fully renovated and reopened
News 2026-06-18
The lighthouse on the northern tip of Gotska Sandön was commissioned in 1859 and remains operational to this day. It was designated a listed historic building as early as 1935. It has now undergone a complete renovation and been restored to its original condition.
At Bredsandsudde, two twin lighthouses were built in 1859 to warn of the feared Kopparstenarna shoals. The lighthouses were predecessors of the so-called Heidenstam lighthouses and were also the first lighthouses to be built of iron. Today, only the northern lighthouse remains.
Restored to its former glory
Planning for the extensive renovation began in 2022. Among other things, the work was needed to address problems caused by water penetrating the façade and damaging the timber inside the wall. When the renovation began, it had been more than 100 years since the lighthouse was last renovated. At that time, asbestos cement panels were installed on the façade, and nothing had been done since.
– Together with a conservation expert, it was agreed that the asbestos cement panels would be replaced with wooden shingles, which the lighthouse was probably clad in originally. Wooden shingles, also known as church shingles, are one of our oldest building techniques and have been used since the Middle Ages. The renovation began in spring 2025, and now, just over a year later, we are pleased that the work has been completed, says Johan Widell, consultant and Project Manager for the Swedish Maritime Administration.
The façade is now clad in red-tarred wooden shingles with white corner boards, restoring the lighthouse to its original appearance. The windows, doors and dormer windows have also been restored. Old sheet-metal details have been replaced, the foundations have been improved and a new staircase has been built. The roof has also been sealed, and the lighthouse light has been replaced with modern, energy-efficient LED lighting.
Collaboration is important for preserving cultural heritage
On 16 June, Gotska Sandön Lighthouse was officially reopened, with representatives from the Swedish Maritime Administration, the County Administrative Board of Gotland, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, Gotland Museum, the Swedish National Maritime and Transport Museums and the Swedish Lighthouse Society among those taking part. On Gotska Sandön, the weather is a constant companion, and this was particularly evident on the day of the reopening, when the planned crossing from Fårö had to be cancelled due to strong winds. As a result, more than half of the invited guests had to join digitally from inside the lighthouse instead.
Several speeches were given in honour of the lighthouse and Gotska Sandön, with many highlighting the island’s unique environment and the importance of good cooperation between public authorities in preserving our important environments – both natural and built heritage.
To visit the lighthouse on Gotska Sandön, read more about our lighthouses open to visitors: Lighthouses open to visitors
