Neuer Leuchtturm
Wangerooge Lcht-Tm., Str. Zum Westen, 26486 Wangerooge, Germany
Name and Location
The Neuer Leuchtturm (New Lighthouse) is located on the German North Sea island of Wangerooge. Its address is Wangerooge Lcht-Tm., Straße Zum Westen, 26486 Wangerooge, Germany. The coordinates are 53 °47′24.33″ N, 7 °51′25.78″ E.
Construction and History
The Neuer Leuchtturm was erected in the mid-20th century to replace an older tower that had to be abandoned due to shifting sands and structural issues. Construction began around 1952 and was completed shortly thereafter. The new tower stands at over 67 m tall, replacing its predecessor from the mid-19th century.
Architecture and Materials
The lighthouse is a slender cylindrical tower with a gallery and lantern, featuring functionalist mid-century design. It is made of reinforced concrete and has an unpainted or rendered light gray finish.
Light and Navigation
The Neuer Leuchtturm's nominal range is approximately 25 nmi (46 km) in clear conditions. The light characteristic is not officially confirmed but commonly reported as groups of three white flashes every 15 seconds. Radar reflectors are installed in the lantern roof, and AIS likely broadcasts.
Accessibility and Visiting
The lighthouse is not open to the general public for interior visits due to safety reasons. However, the exterior can be viewed from nearby dune footpaths and the western beach promenade. Pedestrian island footpaths lead from the town center to the lighthouse, with no motor vehicles allowed except service vehicles.
Notable Views and Landscape
The Neuer Leuchtturm offers panoramic views of the Wadden Sea to the west during sunset or sunrise. The surrounding landscape features adjacent tidal flats, dune grass, and marram fields.
Anecdotes and Folklore
Longtime lighthouse keepers recall post-war rebuilding challenges and civil defense preparations during the Cold War era. The shifting sands around Wangerooge have claimed dozens of small vessels; the new tower's powerful beam drastically reduced wrecks in the adjacent shipping channel.
Technical and Operational Details
The Neuer Leuchtturm is fully automated, with a construction period circa 1952-1954. It is managed by the Federal WSV (Wasser- und Schifffahrtsverwaltung des Bundes) and Außenbezirksdirektion Ostfriesland.
Further Information
- https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leuchtturm_Wangerooge_(Neu)">German Wikipedia: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leuchtturm_Wangerooge_(Neu)
- https://www.wsv.de/…/leuchtturm-wangerooge">WSV (German): https://www.wsv.de/…/leuchtturm-wangerooge
- https://www.ibiblio.org/lighthouse/gerw.htm#wangerooge">Lighthouse Directory: https://www.ibiblio.org/lighthouse/gerw.htm#wangerooge
- https://www.wangerooge.de/">Wangerooge Tourism: https://www.wangerooge.de/
Details
| Name | Neuer Leuchtturm |
|---|---|
| City | Wangerooge |
| Country | Germany |
| Coordinates | 53.7900915, 7.8571617 |
| Year of construction | 1952 |
| Stories | several longtime lighthouse keepers recalled post-war rebuilding challenges and civil defence preparations during the Cold War era |
| Architectural style | functionalist mid-century design |
| Construction material | "reinforced concrete" |
| Focal height | 64 |
| Tower height | 67.2 |
| Heritage status | true |
| Renovations | [object Object] |
| Access description | pedestrian island footpaths from the town center; no motor vehicles allowed except service vehicles |
| Accessible | true |
| Landscape type | dune grass and marram fields; tidal flats |
| View description | panoramic vista across the sea lane to the west, popular with photographers |
| Facilities | toilets, café, gift shop |
| Nearby attractions | ["Wangerooge lighthouse museum (in the old guardhouse building)","National Park Visitor Center","North Sea bathing beaches","bird-watching hides"] |
| AIS Radar | true |
| Light range | 46 |
| Automated | true |