Increased funding to save historic lighthouses

The Swedish Maritime Administration is responsible for more than 1,100 lighthouses and approximately 2,000 associated buildings at numerous locations along Sweden’s coasts and large inland lakes. Of these, 38 sites are designated as state-owned listed historic buildings, which the Swedish Maritime Administration is required to preserve and protect.

“This is really welcome news, and every krona will make a difference. We can now accelerate renovation and maintenance work, which is absolutely essential to preserving these lighthouses and buildings with the care they deserve,” says Emma Wegrell, Cultural Heritage Specialist at the Swedish Maritime Administration.

Several of the properties have stood for hundreds of years and require considerable craftsmanship and careful restoration to regain their original splendour. The additional funding is therefore very welcome.

“There is a significant maintenance backlog at many of these sites, and preserving these historic environments for the future will require both time and resources. This may involve systematic renovation over an extended period to bring the properties back into good condition,” concludes Emma Wegrell.

Specifically, the government’s budget proposal increases the Swedish Maritime Administration’s appropriation “1:5 Compensation for Certain Canal and Lock Infrastructure” from SEK 62 million to SEK 85 million annually. Part of this additional funding will be used to preserve the cultural heritage sites for which the Swedish Maritime Administration is responsible.