Grønholmskjær Lighthouse

Also known as: Grønholmskjær (Grønnholmskjær)

Grønholmskjær Lighthouse is an active navigational aid located on a rocky islet northeast of Risør, Norway. Built in 1998, the structure consists of an 8-meter high octagonal lantern with a gallery, painted white with a red roof. This lantern is mounted on four black metal piles. The focal height of the light is 7 meters, and it emits a white, red, or green light that changes depending on the approach, with a cycle of 6 seconds. The lighthouse provides a geographic range of 9.3 nautical miles. The site is open to the public, though the tower itself is closed.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is essential for vessels navigating the coastal waters northeast of Risør, specifically marking the rocky islet it occupies as a navigational hazard. Its unique design, an octagonal lantern perched on four piles, is a distinctive feature in the local maritime architecture. The light's directional characteristic, displaying different colors based on approach, provides critical guidance for safe passage through potentially complex channels.