Långe Jan Lighthouse

Mörbylånga, Öland, Sweden

Långe Jan ("Tall John") is a Swedish lighthouse located at the south cape of Öland. It is one of Sweden's most famous lighthouses and also the tallest lighthouse in Sweden. The lighthouse was built in 1785, probably by Russian prisoner of wars. The tower was built by stone from an old chapel. Originally the light was an open fire, and the tower was unpainted. It was painted white in 1845, and the same year the tower's lantern was installed, to store a colza oil lamp. A couple of years later a black band was added to the tower.

The lighthouse remains in use and is remote-controlled by the Swedish Maritime Administration in Norrköping. During the summer-season it is possible to climb the tower, for a small fee. The buildings surrounding the tower is Ottenby birding station.

References:

Wikipedia

Address

Ottenby 404, Mörbylånga, Öland, Sweden

See all sites in Mörbylånga, Öland

Details

Founded: 1785
Category: Miscellaneous historic sites in Sweden
Historical period: The Age of Enlightenment (Sweden)

More Information

en.wikipedia.org
www.maritimeatlas.eu

Rating

4.4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Carl X Gustav's Wall (6,1 km)
Ås Church (5,6 km)

Kalmar Castle (51,4 km)
Kalmar Cathedral (52,1 km)
Eketorp Fort (12,3 km)
Kristianopel Church (23 km)
Gråborg Castle (53,8 km)
Vickleby Church (42,5 km)
Algutsrum Church (54,3 km)
Mörbylånga Church (36 km)
Sandby Church (45,3 km)

User Reviews

Reinhart Lutz (3 years ago)
Fun place. With sone luck you can see some Baltic Seals in the water at the shore.

Samantha Kenny (3 years ago)
We really enjoyed walking around the area and going up the lighthouse. My kids enjoyed looking at the birds, seals and sheep. The restaurant was good too, slightly pricey but worth it

Pascal Kahlig (3 years ago)
Place is located in a natural reserve in which you can observe birds and seals. Definitely a must see if you are in Oland. Wonderful landscape and animal life.

Alin Popescu (aLLin) (3 years ago)
Bird lovers paradise. If you go up on the Lighthouse, the view over the sea and south Öland is breathtaking!

Ola Sevandersson (3 years ago)
Many steps and great view .. worth 40sek .. you tell me :)

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Photo from Flickr, copyright Infomastern

Historic Site of the week

Visby Cathedral

Visby Cathedral (also known as St. Mary’s Church) is the only survived medieval church in Visby. It was originally built for German merchants and inaugurated in 1225. Around the year 1350 the church was enlarged and converted into a basilica. The two-storey magazine was also added then above the nave as a warehouse for merchants.

Following the Reformation, the church was transformed into a parish church for the town of Visby. All other churches were abandoned. Shortly after the Reformation, in 1572, Gotland was made into its own Diocese, and the church designated its cathedral.

There is not much left of the original interior. The font is made of local red marble in the 13th century. The pulpit was made in Lübeck in 1684. There are 400 graves under the church floor.