väikesemat

Väikesemat is a type of fyr, a traditional Estonian coastal tower that served as a navigational aid and a warning system for sailors. Built primarily in the 18th and 19th centuries, these structures can be found along the coast of Estonia, particularly in the counties of Lääne, Harju, and Pärnu.

The term "väikesemat" literally translates to "small clothes" or "littorals" in Estonian. The name is believed to have originated from the small, labyrinthine shapes of these towers, resembling the undulating coastlines. These structures were built from the 17th century until the mid-20th century, when they began to be replaced by more modern navigational systems.

Väikesemat resembled small, tower-like buildings typically with a square or rectangular base and a conical or pyramidal roof. They were usually built from locally available materials such as stone, brick, or wood. In terms of height, these structures ranged from a mere 3-6 meters, which is much smaller than the average fyr tower.

Their primary purpose was to serve as lighthouses, guiding sailors through the treacherous waters of the Baltic Sea. Väikesemat were also used to warn sailors of coastal dangers, such as shoals and reefs, which posed a significant threat to oceanic navigation.

As technology improved and more modern sea-marking techniques emerged, many of the väikesemat towers gradually fell into disuse and were eventually demolished. However, towards the end of the 20th century, efforts were made to preserve these valuable historical structures. Today, only a few of the original väikesemat towers remain standing, serving as a reminder of Estonia's rich maritime history.