The first lighthouse in the modern sense was built on this site in the mid 17th century and is considered to be Sweden's oldest lighthouse (Kullens lighthouse in Skåne is older but it was part of Denmark when it was built). Landsort lighthouse replaced an old simple beacon without light that stood here. It is believed that a Dutch couple Johan and Margareta van der Hagen built and run the first lighthouse. Initially, it was fired with coal in an iron basket that hung outside. The wooden lighthouse burned down in 1672 (hardly a surprise given its modus operandi) and a new stone one was erected. In 1840, a colza oil lamp was installed and in 1935 came electricity. Until 1963 it was manned by a lighthouse keeper, then automated.
In 1935 Landsort lighthouse became a state building monument. Today the Swedish Maritime Administration owns and runs the lighthouse.
