Helnes lighthouse

Helnes lighthouse is located at 71 degrees 0,3 minutes 24 seconds north, and is one of the northernmost lighthouses in the world. It is unmanned and lies in beautiful surroundings on Magerøya. Helnes has a unique history going back many centuries. In the middle ages it was a lively fishing village with it`s own church. One of many which were founded on the coast of Finnmark after great demand from abroad for dried fish.

Studying the cencus records for 1865 and earlier reveals a small colorful society which was predominantly male oriented. Sami, Finnish and Russian languages were spoken in addition to Norwegian dialects of Trøndersk, Romsdaling and Nordlandsk.

All the buildings on Magerøya were totally destroyed by the Germans in 1944. Only the church in Honningsvåg was spared. The village of Helnes was never rebuildt after the war, but the lighthouse and two houses were buildt in 1946-1947.