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This is the northermost lighthouse in the world and belongs to the island kingdom of Ingøy, about 1,5 km from the centre of the island and only 110 km west of North Cape. With its average 44 days of storm or worse a year, Fruholmen is the most exposed lighthouse in Norway.
The lighthouse was first lit in 1866 and for many years the lighthouse keepers lived here together with their families. It has lived up to 15 children with their own teacher there. To support themselves and their families they fished and kept sheep, goats and cows so they could be selfsufficient during the long and hard winters, sometimes isolated for weeks. The numerous nights with thundering storms meant tremendous stress for them. In 1882 a hurricane took the whole station, and as late as in 1975 the boat houses were smashed and even the road made of concrete was torn apart.
The name Fruholmen comes form an old legend from the 16th century about a noble lady being expelled from the court of the Danish king. Supposedly she was the king`s mistress and fell in disgrace. She was shipped to this desolate islet where nobody lived and was kept a prisoner here for 31 years in isolation together with some servants. She was only allowed to leave the islet to visit the church once a year - and she drowned after a church visit in Christmas. She was very popular among the people living at Ingøy, and she was known for her generousity to local fishermen who had lost their belongings in storms. When the lighthouse was built in 1866 the first lighthousekeeper found remains which could confirm the legend. You can contact our local tourist office which may mediate transport to the lighthouse if the weather conditions are satisfactory. |
