Homborsund Lighthouse

Homborsund Lighthouse Station – a coastal cultural heritage site

Homborsund Lighthouse is a coastal lighthouse located on the island of Store Grønningen, at the entrance to Homborsund near Grimstad.

The station is an example of a multi-family facility, as the lighthouse keeper lived on-site with their family.

The buildings are clustered on the islet, surrounding a partially enclosed courtyard, and form a prominent landmark along the coastal trail.

The strait is heavily trafficked in summer, and the lighthouse adds significant cultural and visual value to the area.

Construction at Store Grønningen began in 1877, and the light was first lit on September 1, 1879.

The concrete lighthouse building has a 20.1-meter-high tower built onto the gable.

The focal height of the light is 22.3 meters above sea level at high tide.

The light has an intensity of 423,900 candela and a range of 14.5 nautical miles. The light characteristic is fixed with four rapid flashes every minute.

In 1939, the title of lighthouse keeper was changed to lighthouse master.

The current tower dates from 1950. Major improvements were made in 1951, including the installation of a diaphone fog signal.

The building was expanded to accommodate compressors, air tanks, and backup electric generators.

The crew was expanded, and a duplex was built for the assistants.

The diaphone system is still intact today.

In 1973, the station changed from a family station to a "tower station," where only crew worked on site. Families moved ashore.

Staff typically worked six weeks on, followed by three weeks off.

The station was automated in 1987 but remained manned by a lighthouse master until it was decommissioned in 1992.

The station remains highly original and is a fine example of large concrete lighthouse construction common in the 1870s.

On March 3, 1998, it was officially protected by the Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage.

The preservation order covers the keeper’s house, the lantern, and all associated buildings under the Cultural Heritage Act.

Features like the well, gardens, and outbuildings provide insight into life at the station beyond lighthouse operation.

The area is also a nature reserve due to its bird species and genetic biodiversity, and is protected under the Nature Diversity Act.

Today, the lighthouse station is operated and maintained by the volunteer association Homborsund fyrs venner, in cooperation with Grimstad municipality and the Norwegian Coastal Administration (Kystverket).

The association manages public rentals of the assistant’s house, an outbuilding, and a boathouse.

Kystverket retains use of the keeper’s house and other buildings as holiday homes for their employees.

The association also fulfills obligations outlined in the operating agreement.

In 2017, the docking facilities were improved, allowing larger recreational boats to access the site via a new floating dock outside the inner harbour.