isokari
ISOKARI – the highest lighthouse in the gulf of Ostrobothnia
ISOKARI – the highest lighthouse in the gulf of Ostrobothnia
We visited Isokari, a lighthouse located on a small island near Uusikaupunki. There are daily cruises during the summer season that include guided tours of the island and the lighthouse. So, we hopped on the boat and travelled there. The trip lasts a couple of hours.
The Isonkari lighthouse was completed in 1833, it is 49.4 m tall and it’s still in operation. In order to get up to the outer platform to admire the scenery and the lens system of the lighthouse, you have to climb almost 200 steps, but the view is totally worth of it.
The lighthouse has been renovated several times throuth the years.
In 1889, the wooden lantern part of the lighthouse was dismantled and the current one made of iron was built in its place. The lighting device was changed to a petroleum-powered one with a lens system assembled from crystal prisms. The outer walls of the lighthouse were painted in red and white stripes.
When the lighthouse turned one hundred years old – 1933 – it was completely renovated. The outer walls were painted black and white. The lighting device was changed to acetylene-powered, as a result of which the staff of the lighthouse was reduced to two.
In 1952, the lighthouse was electrified and in the summer of 1986, the lighthouse was painted red and white again. In the summer of 2020, the lighthouse was completely renovated. There was a complete renovation of the facade, renovation of the windows, water roof, lantern stall and guardrooms. Isokari was a nice place to visit. Besides the tour to the lighthouse, there’s a cafe, beach, a natural trail and accomodation rooms are provided if you feel like staying a bit longer.
