Name and Location

Hoek van 't IJ Lighthouse is a mid-20th-century iron lighthouse located on Vuurtoreneiland (“Lighthouse Island”) in the IJ inlet off Amsterdam, Netherlands. The address is Vuurtoreneiland 3, 1026 CG Amsterdam.

Construction and History

The Hoek van 't IJ Lighthouse was built in 1950 to replace older or war-damaged beacons. It served as the final guiding light for vessels approaching Amsterdam West Harbor. The adjacent keeper's house remained in residential use until automation reduced staffing, and stories of families living on the island still circulate in local heritage circles.

Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse is constructed from prefabricated cast and riveted iron plates (industrial metal) with a slender cylindrical tower shape. The lantern roof is a conical cupola painted red, and the mounting is fixed to a masonry base on a reinforced concrete platform.

Light and Navigation

The light characteristic of Hoek van 't IJ Lighthouse is no longer active; historic records do not list a published characteristic (lamp decommissioned in 2016). The lighthouse was originally lit and maintained by keepers in the adjacent keeper's house, but automation likely installed later. There are no AIS or radar systems installed.

Accessibility and Visiting

The lighthouse is only accessible by boat. Regular guided tours depart from Amsterdam Noord (booking via the Vuurtoreneiland foundation or local tour operators). The tower interior is generally closed to visitors for safety; exterior walks and keeper's house tours are offered on guided visits. Facilities include a small museum exhibit in the keeper's house, picnic areas, and panoramic views of the IJ and Amsterdam skyline.

Notable Views and Landscape

From the small headland on which Hoek van 't IJ stands, visitors enjoy unobstructed views eastward over the IJ toward Amsterdam's waterfront, and westward over open water and wetlands. The low-lying polder landscape, shipping channels, and passing barges evoke the island's historic role in navigational safety.

Anecdotes and Folklore

Although the lamp was removed in 2016, the tower's bold black-and-red silhouette continues to act as a daymark for small craft in the IJ. The adjacent keeper's house remained in residential use until automation reduced staffing, and stories of families living on the island still circulate in local heritage circles.

Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse was automated at some point, and all active equipment was removed by 2016. There are no technical or operational details available for this lighthouse.

Further Information

• Dutch Wikipedia: nl:Hoek van 't IJ
• Wikimedia Commons category: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Hoek_van_%27t_IJ
• RCE monument register: https://monumentenregister.cultureelerfgoed.nl/monuments/(search "Hoek van 't IJ")
• Vuurtoreneiland visitor site: https://www.vuurtoreneiland.nl/