Ratan
Ratan is a small island 20 miles north of Umeå and providing a good shelter for most winds. Ratan is considered to have been the best harbour in the Bottenviken for many centuries, explaining its development. A pilot station was established in 1760. The golden age of Ratan was when the toll service for the cities of Umeå, Piteå, Torne and Luleå was organised in Ratan.
The old marigraph was installed in 1891 to measure and record the level of the sea in the harbour of Ratan. It stopped its activities in 1965 and was replaced by a modern marigraph. The old marigraph was connected to the harbour water by a small canal which has gradually become dry.
The old marigraph in Ratan
The old marigraph in Ratan
There are several watermarks made on the rocks of the coast of Ratan. This one dates from 1749.
This is the new marigraph, as well as additional water marks made in 1848 (the whitish line on the rock below the marigraph).
The pilot house on Ratan island
The pilot house on Ratan island
There are many labyrinths along the Norrland coast. They all were built by fishermen, supposedly for protection from the treacherous winds. The labyrinth is close to the Ratan beacon, from which the pilots were watching. It was constructed in 18928.
The labyrinth in Ratan
The compass rose in Ratan. It points to the North-East.
Getting there
By public transport
Some
By sailing boat
Straight forward entrance
Ratan
- Coordinates: 63.991491, 20.8916624