There are many cathedrals in Belgium which are magnificent examples of Gothic architecture, with soaring vaulted ceilings, intricate stone carvings, and beautiful stained glass windows. Many of these cathedrals also contain important religious relics, such as the shrine of St. Ursula at the Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp or the Holy Blood of Christ at the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula in Brussels. Whether you are interested in history, architecture, or religious art, these cathedrals are definitely worth a visit.
Towering 52 meters above the sea, Bengtskär lighthouse is the tallest one in Scandinavia. The building started in in 1905 after the shipwreck of S/S Helsingfors and was completed in 1906. The lighthouse was designed by architect Florentin Granholm. On December a special petrol lantern, designed and built in Paris, was brought to Bengtskär and installed atop the tower.
German fleet bombarded Bengstkär in the First World War in 1914. Since the Gulf of Finland was heavily mined, it was not until 1919 that the surrounding seas were declared safe for shipping, that the light was lit again.
After the war the military value of Bengtskär increased as part of the defence system of independent Finland. In Second World War (1941) Soviet Union made a suprise attack to island. After a bloody battle, the small Finnish garrison emerged victorious. Intermittent repairs to the facility continued during the post-war period.