Name and Location

The Vuurtoren van Hellevoetsluis, also known as the Hellevoetsluis Lighthouse, is a late-19th-century harbour lighthouse located on the Westkade quay in Hellevoetsluis, Voorne aan Zee, South Holland, the Netherlands. Its official address is Westkade 17, 3221 AV Hellevoetsluis.

Construction and History

The Vuurtoren van Hellevoetsluis was constructed in 1882, designed by J. Valk. It marks the entrance to the historic Hellevoetsluis basin and today stands as a protected Rijksmonument.

Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse is a slender tower rising from a small keeper's house base, with an exact plan shape varying according to reports. The materials used are not specified in public sources, but contemporaneous harbour lighthouses of the era were often constructed using brick or masonry. The lantern features a glazed metal frame supporting the light, likely replaced during 20th-century maintenance.

Light and Navigation

The light characteristic is not documented in publicly available sources, likely being a fixed or flashing white light typical of small harbour beacons. The focal height and nominal range are not specified. The lighthouse is listed as a man-made lighthouse in the Dutch national building registry (BAG) and presumed still registered as a navigational aid.

Accessibility and Visiting

The tower interior is closed to the public, but visitors can view the exterior from the Westkade promenade. The nearest railway station is Hellevoetsluis, accessible within 5 minutes on foot. Limited parking is available near Westkade.

Notable Views and Landscape

From the quay promenade, one enjoys an unimpeded view over the harbour entrance, passing yachts and fishing vessels. To the west lies the sluice basin and marina, to the east the quay wall and waterfront cycle path.

Anecdotes and Folklore

No specific anecdotes or keeper biographies were found in publicly available sources.

Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse is automated and likely has been since mid-20th century. The keeper's quarters are decommissioned. The current function is listed as a man-made lighthouse in the BAG, with no official maritime service bulletins online.

Further Information

For further reading, please refer to the Dutch national building registry (BAG), Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed (RCE) monument register, and Dutch Wikipedia article.