Kõpu lighthouse on the island of Hiiumaa, is today among the world's oldest operating lighthouse. Construction of the lighthouse began in 1505 and lasted intermittently for 26 years. For the first time a fire at the top of the tower lit up in August 1531 lighthouse tower already at that time was a four-sided prism with powerful buttresses in the direction of the main divisions of the compass.

Up to 24 meters high tower is built of solid cobblestone associated with cement. At a height of 24 meters was the first lower space, which housed the servants. This room had 2 windows, oriented east and west. Above this room was another in which there was a winch to lift the wood. Above the upper room was located playground, which laid out a fire on a lattice of wood. In calm, clear weather, the fire could be seen from far away - 15 miles, but a storm of fire often flooded or wind scatters.

Previously, the lighthouse was called Dagerort - from the Swedish dager - "day, daylight, light" and ort - "the place edge, point" and "cape".

The height of the lighthouse has increased to 36, 5 m in 1659, with the Swedes, when he was loaned Timen Cornelis.

In 1660 the island with a lighthouse Count Axel Julius De la Gardie bought from the Swedish government with a commitment to cover the tower for a fee.

During the time of Peter I was going to duty on all ships passing by Dago in Vyborg, Revel, Vyborg and Nienschanz. Thus, Dagerortsky lighthouse was the first in Russian waters of the Baltic Sea, which served, including for commercial purposes. At this time, the lighthouse was lit regularly from March 15 to April 30 and from August 15 to December 30.

In 1776 the lighthouse with the name Horenholm handed Countess Ebbe Margarita Shtenbok. In 1792, Baron Roman Ungern-Shternbert bought this estate. Each year, the Baron asked the State the amount of 5,000 rubles in silver for lighting the beacon. The thing is that for many years the lighthouse forest around it for a long time cut down and the wood had to be brought from far away, it was not cheap. Originally from the treasury allocated approximately half of the required amount. And in 1796 stopped paying altogether. However, Baron, until 1805, maintained a beacon lighting. Delivery of firewood he distributed among the inhabitants of the nearest peasant households, thus freeing them from other works.

Since 1805 for lighting the beacon came from the Russian state. Immediately it was carried out repair work. The top of the set lights that illuminate the 23 oil lamps. In 1845 the tower repaired again, this time a beacon was lit 10 months of the year - from 1 July to 1 May. The lamps were lit at sunset and extinguished at dawn.

In 1860 it was found improved lighting of the lighthouse, with visibility of up to 50 km. Beacon was serviced by a team of 7 people, one of which was kept in the wind.

In 1883, on Kõpu beacon was installed telegraph station. Near the lighthouse located lifeboat station, whose duties included warning vessels to too fast and Providing assistance to persons in distress.

In 1898, instead of the telegraph equipment placed telephone exchange.

In 1901 again it was renovated tower. In the same year, a lighthouse equipped with the latest light-optical system, purchased in Paris at the World Exhibition in 1900

In 1940, a lighthouse Kõpu summed up the state of the power line network.

The lighthouse was severely damaged during World War II. However, the damage was not fatal and, thanks to a powerful and sturdy stone walls, the tower was restored fairly quickly.

In subsequent years, there is a modernization of lighting the beacon.

In 1957 it was carried out a complete overhaul of the lighthouse Kõpu. However, to completely stop the destruction of the tower failed and in 1982 was again renovated, landscaped area around the lighthouse. There was also installed light-optical apparatus EMW-930M with a visibility range 26 ... 30 miles away.

In August 2011, the lighthouse Kõpu celebrates 480 years. As Jaan says his tenant Puusepp lighthouse is visited annually by about 30 thousand. Tourists. In recent years, more and more people come to look at it from different corners of the world.