Name and Location

The Warnemünde Lighthouse stands on the Seepromenade in the seaside resort of Warnemünde, part of the Hanseatic city of Rostock in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. Its coordinates are 54°10′53″ N, 12°05′08″ E.

2. Construction and History

The first lighthouse on this site was erected in 1826 as a wooden structure. The current brick tower was built between 1897 and 1898 and was first lit on October 1, 1898. It replaced earlier fixed-light installations and accommodated growing shipping traffic into Rostock Harbour.

3. Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse is constructed of red-brick masonry with stone dressings and features a cast-iron lantern room. The tower has a cylindrical shape with a gallery and lantern, standing 30.13 meters (roof) or 31 meters (declared landmark height). Its base building houses the keeper's quarters, now repurposed for visitor services.

4. Light and Navigation

The lighthouse exhibits a group flashing white light characteristic: three flashes followed by one flash every 24 seconds (Fl (3+1) W 24 s). It has a range of 20 nautical miles and is visible from bearings 62.6° to 242.6°.

5. Accessibility and Visiting

The lighthouse is open to visitors seasonally, typically between April and October, with weekends available off-season. Admission fees apply, and guided tours are offered during the summer months. The site features a small maritime exhibition in the keeper's house, viewing gallery, gift shop, and café kiosk.

6. Notable Views and Landscape

Panoramic vistas from the gallery offer views of the Baltic Sea coast, Warnemünde beach, spa promenade (Alter Strom), fishing fleet, and cruise vessels entering harbour. The surrounding landscape features a sandy beach to the north, wooded dunes to the west, and the mouth of the Warnow River to the south.

7. Anecdotes and Folklore

The lighthouse has served as a guiding light through numerous storms, with local lore recounting rescue operations near Großmole breakwater. Former keepers maintained pigeon lofts on the gallery to send messages ashore (anecdotal). Kaiser Wilhelm II and maritime dignitaries have inspected the tower shortly after commissioning.

8. Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse was electrified in the early 20th century and underwent full automation around 1970. No permanent keepers are on site, with technical inspections conducted by WSV teams.

9. Further Information

For further reading and references, consult "Leuchttürme an der deutschen Ostseeküste" (R. Vogt, 2005), Rostock City Archives, WSV Stralsund technical reports, and the official website: https://warnemuende-leuchtturm.de/.