Halsskov Lighthouse

Facts

Denmark's last open coal-brazier lighthouse

By Richard Bøllund, Cand.mag. i samfundsfag og historie (8 stories)

Halsskov Lighthouse was built by the Danish Postal Service in 1727 to help get the post safely across the Great Belt. The first beacon on the site was probably a vippefyr" - a huge tripod that levered an iron brazier of glowing coals up into the darkness. That was followed by coals glowing in an open metal brazier. The current coal-fired beacon was built in about 1800-1801 on an octagonal platform with four steps up to the brazier. The keeper could then get to the top regardless of the wind direction. A home for the lighthouse keeper was built behind it in 1894 with lanterns in the gable end. "

Not a public place

Selected entry

Retired shipmaster takes over the lighthouse

Story written by Richard Bøllund

Time / Periode 1800

1 comment 0 recommendations

The lighthouse keeper's quarters at Lygtebakken in Halsskov with the coal brazier in the back yard, was sold by the state in 1957 to a private owner. Two years later, it was listed as the only remaining open coal brazier in Denmark. It remained in use until 1904, as it was easiest to see in hazy weather. It is on private land that is no longer open to the general public. The land and keeper's quarters have since been taken over by a retired shipmaster. He used the brazier for navigating in his Great Belt ferry days. Now, he can look out of his lighthouse window and see the ships and the new Great Belt Bridge.