Knarrarósviti

Background

History & Background

Knarrarósviti represents a significant chapter in Icelandic engineering and architecture. Built between 1938 and 1939, it marked a pivotal moment as the first lighthouse in the country to utilize reinforced concrete, a cutting-edge construction method that promised greater durability against the harsh North Atlantic elements. Its design is a collaborative legacy, conceived by Axel Sveinsson based on the influential ideas of Guðjón Samúelsson, Iceland's state architect. Samúelsson's distinct architectural vision, characterized by a blend of Functionalist practicality and Art Nouveau's decorative flair, is clearly visible in the lighthouse's sleek, modern lines and its elegant, multi-tiered structure. This fusion of styles makes Knarrarósviti a unique example of early 20th-century Icelandic design. Standing proudly at 30 meters above sea level, it has long served as a vital navigational aid for ships traversing the waters off the South Coast and continues to be the tallest building in the region, a beacon of both safety and architectural heritage.

Knarrarósviti stands on the coast east of Stokkseyri. Built in 1938–1939, it is an early Icelandic example of a lighthouse constructed entirely from reinforced concrete. Its tall geometric form and red lantern house make it a distinctive landmark in the flat South Iceland coastal landscape.