The Kõpu lighthouse on the northwestern tip of Hiiumaa has been the island's most significant landmark since it was built on the orders of the Hanseatic League in 1490. Only in 1997 did it lose this role when radar from a smaller lighthouse took over from its beam of light, which could be seen over 40km away. Those fit enough to climb to the top will reach, at 100m, one of the higher spots in Estonia, with views over to Saaremaa as well as across the whole of Hiiumaa. This is best enjoyed around sunset. The interior of the lighthouse was completely renovated in 2002.Originally, wooden fires provided the light and such enormous quantities of trees were felled to provide for this that, as a result, most of the Kõpu peninsula was deforested. A team of six was on duty every night to guard the fire but it still went out during storms. Oil was used briefly in the late 19th century; the electric light installed in 1900 was exhibited in the Paris Exhibition of that year and its use finally brought to an end both shipwrecks and piracy.
Neil Taylor "Estonia. The Bradt Travel Guide", 2007 |
