Leuchtturm Alte Weser

The Leuchtturm Alte Weser is located at 53.86340190999999° N, 8.127523°E, in Lower Saxony, Germany. The lighthouse is situated on the coast of the North Sea, near the town of Bremerhaven.

History

The Leuchtturm Alte Weser was built in 1897 by the German Navy to serve as a fog detector light for the port of Bremerhaven. The tower was designed by architect Wilhelm von Hülsen and constructed using granite and brickwork. Over the years, the lighthouse has undergone several renovations and restorations.

Architecture

The Leuchtturm Alte Weser is a 39.65-meter-tall (130 ft) tower with a distinctive red coloration. The tower features six white light sources, each with a different sector end and sector start, indicating its directional beam pattern. The lighthouse also has a fog signal system, which emits a horn-like sound every 60 seconds.

Light Characteristics

• Pattern: Directional
  • Sector 1: 23 nautical miles (42 km)
  • Sector 2: 19.2 nautical miles (35.5 km)
  • Sector 3: 19 nautical miles (34.8 km)
  • Sector 4: 18 nautical miles (33.3 km)
  • Sector 5: 23 nautical miles (42 km)
  • Sector 6: 18 nautical miles (33.3 km)
  • Sector 7: 19.2 nautical miles (35.5 km)
  • Sector 8: 19 nautical miles (34.8 km)
• Character: F
• Colour: White

Current Status

The Leuchtturm Alte Weser is currently an active lighthouse, although it has been automated since the 1990s. The tower remains a vital aid to navigation for mariners and is also open to visitors.

Heritage Status

The Leuchtturm Alte Weser was designated as a protected cultural monument in Germany in 2001. The lighthouse is listed on the Bremerhaven City Museum's list of important landmarks.

Notable Historical Events

The Leuchtturm Alte Weser played an important role during World War II, serving as a navigation aid for German naval vessels. After the war, the lighthouse was restored and continued to serve as a vital aid to navigation.