Æðarsteinsviti was built in 1922, during a period when many
lighthouses were constructed along the East Iceland coast to improve
maritime safety. The lighthouse stands near
Djúpivogur and forms part of an important
network of coastal beacons that once guided ships along this rugged
shoreline.
The lighthouse was designed by engineers Thorvalds Krabbe and Guðmundur J.
Hlíðdal. Other lighthouses of the same design can be found at
Svalvogaviti and
Karlsstaðatangaviti, reflecting a
standardized and practical approach to lighthouse construction in the
early 20th century.
Æðarsteinsviti is a reinforced concrete structure, approximately 5.5
meters tall, topped with a Norwegian-style lantern. Originally, the light
was powered by an oil lamp, later upgraded to gas in 1928. In 1987, the
lighthouse was electrified, marking a significant step in the
modernization of Iceland’s lighthouse system.
For many years, the lighthouse was painted white with two horizontal red
stripes, making it highly visible from the sea. In the 1960s, it was
repainted yellow, giving Æðarsteinsviti the distinctive appearance it has
today. The lighthouse keeper is Stefán Aðalsteinsson.
Photo: Anton Stefánsson