Kurmrags Abandoned Lighthouse

ahvenas (Atlas Obscura User)

This diminutive lighthouse on the northern coast of Latvia was built in 1923 at the behest of local fisherman. It is still standing today, although not in its initial location.

Originally, the lighthouse stood in a meadow by the coastline’s steep sandstone cliff. However two especially strong storms to hit the area proved fatal to the life of this little light. A brutal storm in 1967 caused the light to go dark. Then another storm hit in 2005, washing the weathered beacon onto the beach at the edge of the sea.

Erosion from the ocean has moved the lonely lighthouse closer and closer to the sea, and now the waves already reach the foot of the beacon. This movement has probably caused its signature tilt as well, from which it gets the nickname “the leaning tower of Latvia.”

Know Before You Go

It is best to visit with your own transport. Note that parking options around the lighthouse area are extremely limited due to private property signs and very narrow dirt roads. It's better is to park the car somewhere in a public parking area and take a walk by the seashore.