Renovation of Historic Thistle Lighthouse Begins in Gothenburg’s Archipelago
On the southern edge of Gothenburg’s archipelago, a small and isolated archipelago called Yttre Tistlarna stands as a last outpost. At the highest point of the largest island sits the Thistle lighthouse, providing stability and security in the midst of storms. For many, the lighthouse has been a constant presence throughout their lives.
Currently, six families have their summer residences in the old cottages once inhabited by lighthouse keepers and their families. However, this summer, the silence of the archipelago has been disrupted by the sound of helicopters and construction machines. The Norwegian Maritime Administration has decided to renovate the almost 120-year-old lighthouse, bringing new life to the historic structure.
“We inspected this lighthouse and saw that there was a great need to renovate. Since then, there have been many people who have come forward and protected the cultural heritage. Lighthouses touch a lot of people,” says Jakob Olofsson, lighthouse construction engineer at the Swedish Maritime Administration.
For the summer residents of the island, the renovation has been a long-awaited project. The lighthouse has suffered from years of neglect, and Erik Strömqvist, a summer resident on the island, has been urging the Swedish Maritime Administration to take action.
“It means a lot that they do it now. Now we will have many more years with the lighthouse as a cultural monument. Everyone can go there and you can sit up there and watch the sunset, so it feels great,” says Strömqvist.
The renovation project is not an easy task, as no ferries go to the island. Helicopters and boats are being used to transport necessary materials and machinery to the site. For the construction workers, who are primarily from Poland, living and working in such a remote and picturesque location is a unique experience.
“It is different from what we usually do. We usually make steel structures where everything is completely new, in central locations where there are a lot of people. This is more fun, you get to work outdoors and there aren’t that many people, and you get to be a little inventive,” says Przemyslaw Karas, one of the workers.
The cost of the renovation is estimated to be approximately five million. While the original use of the lighthouse’s lantern has been replaced by a mast, there have been thoughts of restoring its original function in the future. The Swedish Maritime Administration decided to invest in the renovation due to its commitment to preserving cultural heritage.
“It would feel good to be used, and burned in. And that is something we are looking at, investigating and discussing, so we will come back to that,” says Olofsson.
The renovation is expected to be completed in September, with the installation of windows scheduled for October. The Thistle lighthouse holds great cultural value and is an important historical monument.