Arholma Beacon

Quick facts about the Beacon: The Beacon was built in 1768 by the court squire Pehr Ridderstad from Rådmansö. Three beacons were erected at the same time, one on Högskär and one beacon that has now been replaced by the Simpnäsklubb lighthouse. The Beacon is primarily built as a fixed sea mark, but it also functioned as a pilot lookout until 1875. When sea traffic was motorised, the lookout was moved further out into the shipping channel. During the war against Russia in 1809, the beacon functioned as one of many optical telegraph stations along the Uppland coast. During the Second World War 1939-45, the beacon also housed a signal station with a combat-control centre below it. Since 1997 the beacon has been open to the public in summer, now as an art exhibition venue and viewing tower. The beacon is owned by the state and managed by the Swedish Maritime Administration and is a state heritage building. The trading company Arholma båk HB has run operations in the premises since 1997. Text: Mikael Forssander & Pia Åstbom