Kylmäpihlaja Lighthouse and pilot station in Rauma
Located about ten kilometres from the mainland, Kylmäpihlaja Island is the outermost of the large islands off Rauma. It rose from the sea by the late 13th century and was probably used for hunting, fishing, and gathering long before the lighthouse was built. In the 17th century, the island was rented for sheep grazing in the summer, as was common practice in the Rauma archipelago.
A lightship preceded the lighthouse
Sea traffic off Rauma increased during the 1800s. Lightships were used during the spring melting period of the sea ice near Kylmäpihlaja Island from the late 19th century. These beacon ships became redundant when the massive lighthouse and pilot station building were completed in 1953. The rectangular lighthouse tower rises 31 metres above sea level, guiding its light for a distance of up to 45 kilometres out to sea.
The building is an interesting example of a later development phase of pilot and lighthouse communities, which originated in the 19th century. It was Finland's last manned lighthouse, which also served as a pilot station.
The building hosted its all of its functions under one roof. There were living spaces for twelve pilots, eight pilot boat attendants and two lighthouse keepers. The housekeeper took care of the workers' food supplies. Outbuildings were also built on the island, along with a breakwater to protect the harbour.
Kylmäpihlaja Lighthouse.
Kylmäpihlaja Lighthouse today
As navigation equipment developed, the position of the Kylmäpihlaja station became obsolete and the Finnish Maritime Administration sold the island to the city of Rauma in 2000.
An entrepreneur immediately set out to develop the island for tourism. The lighthouse and pilot building were converted into a hotel and the station's kitchen and dining area were adapted for use as a café. The tower opened a viewing platform with a magnificent view of the open sea. Although the signal light is still working, its carrying range has been dropped to 17 nautical miles, or just over 30 kilometres.
There are lots of interesting things to do and explore on the island of Kylmäpihlaja, including guided tours. Signs of the earliest activity include rock engravings from the 18th and 19th centuries. Even though the island is located on the edge of the high seas, the nature is very diverse and bustling with life, especially during the breeding season for birds. Pilots and patrol boats of the Finnish Border Guard can still be seen in the waters around the island.
Read more from Kylmäpihlaja Island’s own webpages!
The signal light of Kylmäpihlaja Lighthouse is lit.
Visit
In summer the island can be reached by ferry. Visitors can also go there by private boat as the island has its own small harbour. The island is closed to visitors during the winter.
Information about the hotel and schedules can be found from the lighthouse’s own webpage.
Finnish Heritage Agency's mapsevice
N: 6792260, E: 193533 (ETRS-TM35FIN)