Name and Location

Hel Lighthouse (Latarnia Morska Hel) stands at the tip of the Hel Peninsula in Poland, guarding both Hel Bay to the west and the open Baltic Sea to the north.

Construction and History

The lighthouse was built in 1942 during the German occupation of Poland, replacing earlier timber structures dating back to the late 19th century. It is one of several wartime constructions erected by German forces to improve control of Baltic shipping.

Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse is constructed from monolithic reinforced concrete, chosen for its durability in a harsh marine environment. The tower has a tapered cylindrical shape with two observation balconies (galleries) and a lantern room. It stands 41.5 meters tall above a concrete base, with a focal height of 40.8 meters above mean sea level.

Light and Navigation

The lighthouse emits an isophase white light every 10 seconds, visible for a nominal range of 17 nautical miles between bearings 151°–102°. It is fully automated and has no permanent keeper since the late 20th century.

Accessibility and Visiting

Visitors can access the lighthouse on foot or by bicycle along Bałtycka street from Hel town centre (approximately 1 km). The interior is open seasonally (April–October, weather permitting) with a ticket booth and souvenir kiosk at the base. Admission costs €2��€3 (PLN 10–15) daily from 10:00 to 18:00 in summer.

Notable Views and Landscape

From the top gallery, visitors enjoy sweeping panoramas of the sandy beaches of the open Baltic Sea to the north, the calmer waters of Hel Bay to the west, and the forested dune landscape of the peninsula. Nearby attractions include the Hel Naval Museum, the Seal Sanctuary at Fokarium, and coastal cycling paths.

Anecdotes and Folklore

Earlier wooden towers stood on the same site from 1895 onwards, but all were successively destroyed or dismantled. No major shipwrecks are directly tied to this light, though the shoals off the tip of Hel have long challenged mariners.

Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse is managed by the Polish Maritime Office in Gdynia (Urząd Morski w Gdyni).

Further Information

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