Name and Location

Leuchtfeuer Arkona (Neuer Leuchtturm Arkona) stands at the northern tip of Germany's island of Rügen. Its official address is Neuer Leuchtturm, Arkona 3, 18556 Putgarten (Municipality of Nord-Rügen), Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. The coordinates are 54°40′46.3″ N, 13°25′58.0″ E (decimal 54.679536, 13.432679). You can find it on the OpenStreetMap at https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=54.679536&mlon=13.432679#map=17/54.67954/13.43268.

2. Construction and History

Leuchtfeuer Arkona was built between 1901-1902, with its entrance into service in October 1902. It replaced the "Old Tower" (Backstein-Schinkel tower of 1826) and is continuously in service as an active coastal lighthouse.

3. Architecture and Materials

The cylindrical masonry tower stands 35 meters tall and has a focal height of 75 meters above mean sea level. The construction materials are reinforced brick and rendered masonry, with a cast-iron lantern room. The interior features a metal and stone spiral stairway with 164 steps.

4. Light and Navigation

The light characteristic is Fl (3) W 17 s - three white flashes every 17 seconds. The nominal range is 22 nautical miles (ca. 40 km). The light was fully automated in the mid-20th century, and modern LED lamp with a backup is used. There is also an AIS transmitter co-located.

5. Accessibility and Visiting

The tower is open to visitors seasonally from April to October, daily from 10 am to 6 pm (times vary by season). The entrance fee is approximately €4 (2024 rate), with children discounted. Facilities include a small on-site exhibition about maritime history, souvenir shop, and viewing platform at the top. Guided tours are available hourly in German, with English tours available upon request.

6. Notable Views and Landscape

The surrounding landscape features white chalk cliffs, Baltic coastal heath, and panoramic views over Jasmund and Wittow peninsulas. Adjoining structures include the Old lighthouse (1826 brick tower) and Slavic Jaromarsburg temple ruins and information centre.

7. Anecdotes and Folklore

Local folklore holds that the spirit of a shipwrecked sailor wanders the old tower on stormy nights. During World War II, the light was extinguished for a brief period; local keepers reputedly maintained a secret beacon - an unverified anecdote.

8. Technical and Operational Details

The managing authority is the German Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration (WSV), Waterways and Shipping Office Rostock. The lighthouse is listed as a historic monument under Mecklenburg-Vorpommern conservation law, with a Wikidata ID of Q830182 and Wikipedia entry at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Arkona_Lighthouse.

9. Further Information

For more information, visit the official site at https://www.kap-arkona.de or consult the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern heritage register (Denkmalliste MV) and BSH nautical chart C 2592 ("Kap Arkona")._