Fyrtårnet - engelsk

Tunø Kirke 2.

Intro

The present-day church dates from about 1500, which was when the tower was added.

The present-day church dates from about 1500, which was when the tower was added.
The tower wasn’t very strong, and extensive and costly repairs had to be carried out several times during the 1700s. In the end, the islanders saw no alternative but to demolish the tower. This wasn’t possible, however, since it doubled as a landmark for shipping in the East Jutland waters. Towards the end of the 1700s, someone got the bright idea of rebuilding the tower to double as a lighthouse.
This meant that it was now possible to obtain government grants to help pay for the repairs to the tower.
A 20-feet (6 m) extension was added. Inside, a wooden spiral staircase was constructed and a lamp placed in the copper steeple. The lighthouse has been in operation since 1801 – rebuilt once in 1906. It’s one of the oldest in Denmark and the only one to be part of a church.
In 1801, a new job opportunity arose on the island, namely that of lightsman. Until 1905, this job was carried out by the local vicar. Hence the old joke that, on Tunø, it was customary for the vicar to sleep with the lightsman’s wife!