Kõpu Lighthouse

Kõpu Lighthouse was originally constructed in 1531 on the highest hill of Estonia's Hiiumaa island, making it nearly 500 years old and one of the oldest continuously operating lighthouses in the world. It has guided maritime traffic through the Baltic Sea since the era of the Hanseatic League.

Yes, the lighthouse is open to visitors during the summer season, and you can climb to the top for panoramic views of Hiiumaa and the surrounding Baltic Sea. The site also houses a small museum covering the lighthouse's centuries of service.

The tower stands approximately 36 meters tall, but because it sits atop Hiiumaa's highest hill at roughly 67 meters above sea level, the light is visible from considerable distances. The massive original structure was built from dressed stone, reflecting medieval Baltic construction techniques.

Hiiumaa sits astride major Baltic Sea shipping lanes used by Hanseatic League merchants and other European traders, making a navigational beacon strategically essential. The island's high ridgeline provided an ideal vantage point that made Kõpu's light visible to vessels far out at sea.