Bengtskär

{{short description|Skerry in Kimitoön, Finland}}

{{Expand Finnish|topic=geo|date=August 2021}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}

{{Infobox islands

| name = Bengtskär

| image_name = Lighthouse Bengtskär.jpg

| image_caption = The Bengtskär Lighthouse is a popular tourist attraction

| locator_map =

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| location = Gulf of Finland, Archipelago Sea

| coordinates = {{coord|59|43|23|N|22|29|56|E|region:FI-LS_type:isle|display=inline,title}}

| archipelago = Turku

| total_islands =

| major_islands =

| area_km2 = 0,02

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| country = {{FIN}}

| country_admin_divisions_title = Province

| country_admin_divisions = Southwest Finland

| population = 1

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| website = {{URL|http://www.bengtskar.fi/}}

}}

File:Bengtskär Lighthouse.jpg

Bengtskär is an island {{convert|25|km}} southwest of Hanko, and part of the municipality of Kimitoön. This rocky island can be reached by ferry from the village of Kasnäs. The island has an area of about two hectares,{{cite web |url=http://tem.fi/files/26865/Ilman_kiinteaa_tieyhteytta_olevat_pysyvasti_asutut_saaret.pdf |title=Archived copy |accessdate=4 May 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150715002541/http://www.tem.fi/files/26865/Ilman_kiinteaa_tieyhteytta_olevat_pysyvasti_asutut_saaret.pdf |archivedate=15 July 2015 }} Elina Auri. Ilman kiinteää tieyhteyttä olevat pysyvästi asutut saaret. (fi) Retrieved 4 May 2015. and only a small part of it is covered with vegetation, the rest is a naked granite.

The Bengtskär Lighthouse on the skerry is the highest one in the Nordic countries, with a tower height of ({{convert|46|m|disp=or|abbr=on}}).{{Cite rowlett|fin1|access-date=4 May 2015}} The lighthouse is owned by the Foundation of the University of Turku. Annually the island attracts over 13,000 tourists.[http://www.studio55.fi/matkailu/article/tiesitko-tama-on-erikoisin-paikka-missa-suomi-ja-neuvostoliitto-sotivat/130678 Tiesitkö: Tämä on erikoisin paikka, missä Suomi ja Neuvostoliitto sotivat.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505003156/http://www.studio55.fi/matkailu/article/tiesitko-tama-on-erikoisin-paikka-missa-suomi-ja-neuvostoliitto-sotivat/130678 |date=5 May 2015 }} Studio55.fi Retrieved 4 May 2015.

On 26 July 1941, during the Continuation War Soviet troops attempted to capture and blow up the lighthouse, but the Finnish garrison managed to repel the attack. The lighthouse was damaged but not destroyed.{{cite web |url=http://www.bengtskar.fi/history.htm |title=History |website=www.bengtskar.fi |accessdate=4 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720175611/http://www.bengtskar.fi/history.htm |archive-date=20 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}