Name and Location

Leuchtturm Eckernförde, often simply referred to as "Eckernförde Lighthouse", is an active coastal light located on the western shore of the Baltic Sea in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. The address is Berliner Straße 64, 24340 Eckernförde, and its coordinates are 54°27′34.3″ N, 9°50′33.9″ E (decimal: 54.4595293, 9.84276). You can find it on a map at https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=54.4595293&mlon=9.84276#map=18/54.4595293/9.84276.

Construction and History

The exact year of the original construction is not well documented, but the present tower appears to date from the early-to mid-20th century. The lighthouse was fully automated at some point, no longer requiring an on-site keeper. It does not have official heritage status in Schleswig-Holstein.

Architecture and Materials

The Leuchtturm Eckernförde is a slender, cylindrical tower with a gallery and lantern. It stands 36 m tall and is made of reinforced concrete or masonry, typical of German coastal lights from the period. The exterior is painted white, with the lantern housing in a contrasting colour, often red or dark metal.

Light and Navigation

• The lighthouse carries multiple sector and directional lights for different approach bearings. Nautical chart reference: C 1206.
• It has three main light characteristics:
• 1. Sector Lights (Directional Oculting Lights): Green, white, and red sectors with varying ranges.
• 2. Main Fl(2) White Light: A group-flash white light every 9 seconds, visible between 251° and 268°, range 21 nmi.
• 3. Auxiliary Fixed Lights: Three fixed lights in different sectors, ranges vary from 8 to 12 nmi.

Accessibility and Visiting

The lighthouse is not open for public climbing. The best viewing points are the adjacent Kurpromenade and beach promenade. You can access it via Berliner Straße and footpaths along the harbour wall. There are no visitor centre or on-site facilities.

Notable Views and Landscape

The surrounding area offers scenic views of the Baltic Sea, including Eckernförde Seaside Promenade and Beach – a sandy swimming beach. The town centre with its maritime museum, shops, and cafés is also nearby. You can explore the natural parklands along the coast and the Schlei inlet, popular for sailing and windsurfing.

Further Information

For further reading, you may consult the German Wikipedia page at https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leuchtturm_Eckernförde or Wikidata at Q19403412. You can also find it on OpenStreetMap feature at https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/245762688.