Incredible Location for a Lighthouse Perched on a Rock in Iceland’s Wild Surf
Sunday 18, 2024 | Travel | 19,057 Views
The Þrídrangaviti lighthouse, surrounded by open water, stands precariously on a steep cliff, offering a striking and isolated view against the backdrop of the cold and untamed North Atlantic. In 2009, a photograph of this lighthouse taken by Icelandic photographer Arnie S. went viral, and surprisingly, it was thanks to pop icon Justin Bieber, who helped share it across social media.
The lighthouse is located in the Westman Islands, approximately six miles from the shore. It is arguably the most remote lighthouse on the planet, sitting atop a rock pillar with the wild ocean raging beneath it. The name Þrídrangaviti comes from the three large rock pillars surrounding the lighthouse, with a fourth unnamed pillar. This lighthouse was built in 1939, making it not only an engineering marvel but also a symbol of Iceland’s resilience against nature’s challenges.
The Þrídrangaviti lighthouse has also inspired literature and art. Best-selling thriller author Alice Green used the lighthouse as a key setting in her chilling novel, Why Did You Lie? Sæberg’s stunning photograph of the lighthouse, along with his other iconic images, also served as the inspiration for Green’s ghostly mystery novel, I Remember You, which was adapted into an Icelandic film.
Sæberg’s famous photograph of the lighthouse had circulated the globe for years without him realizing its reach until one day when his barber showed him a website from Germany featuring his picture. It was then that the barber's daughter told him that Justin Bieber had shared the photograph on his social media. The photograph, taken aboard the national coastguard helicopter TF LÍF, captures the lighthouse in its full glory, a precarious beacon standing strong against the harsh waves of the ocean.
The construction of this lighthouse is a testament to human ingenuity and determination, considering the challenges of the time. Built as World War II was beginning, there were no helicopters in 1939. To reach the towering rock pillar, workers had to scale it by hand, with no easy access or footholds. In an interview with the original project leader, Thomas J. West, he shared the harrowing story of the effort: “We had to create a makeshift road up the cliff, bringing in experienced mountaineers from the nearby villages. They carried drills, hammers, and chains, and once near the top, there were no solid grips. One man would kneel, another would stand on his back, and the third would climb atop them to finally reach the top. It was an incredibly dangerous procedure, and I could hardly watch.”
Þrídrangar consists of four prominent rock pillars: Stóridrangur, Þúfudrangur, Klofadrangur, and an unnamed one. After the lighthouse was built, a helipad was set up on Stóridrangur, allowing helicopters to land and offering a safer means of reaching the structure today. The lighthouse’s incredible location and its history as one of the most inaccessible landmarks in Iceland only add to its intrigue.
For more detailed information on the lighthouse and its history, a dedicated Facebook page has been set up, offering additional insights and photographs from those who are captivated by this extraordinary place.
With its captivating beauty and challenging location, the Þrídrangaviti lighthouse stands as both an enduring symbol of human perseverance and a testament to the stunning, rugged nature of Iceland’s wild coastline.
