Mērsrags Lighthouse

Mērsrags Lighthouse has a focal height of 26 metres, a tower height of 19 metres and a range of 15 nautical miles. It was built in 1875.

Focal height
26 metres
Tower height
19 metres
Range
15 nautical miles
Built
1875
Light characteristic
Fl W 5s.
Coordinates
57.36589, 23.11994
Mērsrags Lighthouse

The Mērsrags Lighthouse is located in Mērsrags, Latvia, on the Bay of Riga, overlooking the Baltic Sea. It was built in 1875 and features a distinctive cylindrical tower with eight buttresses, balcony, and lantern, standing at a height of 62 feet with a focal height of 85 feet. The lighthouse has a white tower with red trim and a range of 15 nautical miles, emitting a flashing white light every 5 seconds.

The lighthouse has a rich history, having been damaged during World War I when its metal structure was distorted by a fire. It was rebuilt in 1922 with wrought iron inserts and riveted metal plating to strengthen its structure. The lighthouse is also known as the "Frenchwoman" due to the French lens used as its signal. Today, the Mērsrags Lighthouse remains a notable landmark in Latvia, guiding mariners through the Bay of Riga.

The Mērsrags Lighthouse is currently operational, with its automated system ensuring continuous guidance for ships navigating the Baltic Sea. Its stunning location on a headland, surrounded by a stony shoal, makes it a unique and fascinating feature of the Latvian coastline. With its interesting history and distinct architecture, the Mērsrags Lighthouse is a notable example of Latvia's maritime heritage.

Light and tower

It lies on the Gulf of Riga. It has a cylindrical hold up by eight buttresses tower with balcony and lantern tower. The tower is built of cast iron. Its daymark is white tower with red trim. The light has a focal height of 26 metres. The light has a range of 15 nautical miles. Its light characteristic is Fl W 5s.

Details

Name
Mērsrags Lighthouse<br>''Mērsraga bāka''
Marking
white tower with red trim
Range Nm
15
Year Built
1875
Description
'''Mērsrags Lighthouse''' (Latvian: ''Mērsraga bāka'') - a lighthouse located on the Bay of Riga, on the Latvian coast of the Baltic Sea. It is located on a headland, stretching as a cape into the Bay of Riga, by a stony shoal.
Tower Shape
cylindrical hold up by eight buttresses tower with balcony and lantern
Body Of Water
Gulf of Riga
Image Caption
Mērsrags Lighthouse
Location Text
[[Mērsrags Municipality|Mērsrags]]<br>[[Latvia]]
Focal Height M
26
Tower Height M
19
Light Characteristic
Fl W 5s.
Construction Material
cast iron