Lindesnes

Lindesnes projects into the sea at the southern tip of mainland Norway. The exposed headland is a landmark for ships travelling between the North Sea and the Skagerrak. At Spangereid, farther inland, boats were dragged across the narrow neck of land in the Middle Ages to avoid the passage around the cape.

Norway's first lighthouse was lit at Lindesnes in 1656. Its initial light came from thirty tallow candles, later replaced by a coal fire, but complaints from mariners that the light was too weak led the king to withdraw permission for its operation that same year. In 1725 lights were established again to guide ships around this important and dangerous point on the sea route between northern Europe and the Baltic.