Lighthouses belong to the far north like the tides to the North Sea. They tower majestically above the coast, on the North Sea islands and in the middle of the sea. For centuries, the landmarks of the North Sea coast have guided sailors through lashing storms, past dangerous reefs and cliffs into safe harbour. Their brightly shining beacons warn of shoals, sandbanks and help to determine their location. No wonder so many people are fascinated by the imposing guardians of light. Germany's coasts are home to around 200 lighthouses, many of which enjoy fame far beyond the borders of their region, such as the lighthouses on Amrum and Juist or in Westerhever on the Eiderstedt peninsula.

The lighthouse at Juist harbour

Memmertfeuer is the name of the lighthouse on the North Sea island of Juist that rises steeply into the sky. The structure does not shine out into the open sea, however, but faces the mudflats towards the East Frisian mainland. It is located behind the harbour, quite a distance from the Wadden Sea. The lighthouse's special location makes it unique in the world. Memmenfeuer has never had a navigation mark function, but tells a completely different story. The disused lighthouse of the bird island Memmert was salvaged in 1990 because of advanced erosion by wind and water. The last remains of the original lighthouse were removed in 2002, by which time they were already standing far out in the surf off Memmert Island. A group of committed islanders joined forces to save the Memmert lighthouse. With the help of donations from island guests, they succeeded. The original lamp and the illuminant of the old lighthouse on Memmert can now be found in the Coastal Museum on the island of Juist.

The twin lighthouses of Sylt

Germany's two northernmost lighthouses stand quite close to each other. Only 2700 metres separate them. On the elbow in the north of the island of Sylt. List-West and List-East they are called. To distinguish the twin lighthouses, List-East was painted with a red band and the lantern house was also painted red. The impressive lighthouse was built in 1857 and is a full two metres taller than List-East, otherwise the towers are identical in construction. The two are the oldest still active lighthouses in Germany. The formerly gas-powered fire has, of course, been converted to electric light. The towers were even manned until 1977.

Roter Sand Lighthouse - bulwark in rough seas

Lighthouse Roter Sand is the oldest offshore structure in the world: it has stood in the middle of the North Sea since 1885. For more than 125 years, the Roter Sand lighthouse has defied the rough waves that pound its foundations northeast of Wangerooge, halfway between Bremerhaven and Helgoland. It is a sea mark, a monument and a symbol of shipping. On 1 November 1885, it was put into operation for the first time and over the years gained nationwide fame. It is even considered a national monument, on a par with the Brandenburg Gate. For the coastal inhabitants, it has a similar symbolic value as the Statue of Liberty has for New York.

Westerhever lighthouse as a North Sea attraction

In the northwest of the Eiderstedt peninsula, the charming village of Westerhever lies idyllically on the North Sea. Here you will find what is probably the most photographed attraction on the North Sea coast: the Westerhever lighthouse. The lighthouse has been in service for over 100 years. The approx. 41-metre-high building was erected in 1906 on an embanked mound with a pile foundation and concrete base. There are nine storeys inside the tower. In 1908, the beacon was put into operation and was even manned until 1979. Today, of course, everything is automated. Next to the lighthouse on the dwelling mound stand two houses where the lighthouse keepers and their families lived at that time. They are now almost as well known as the lighthouse itself. Currently, one of the houses houses the base of the Wadden Sea Conservation Station. A very special highlight for lovers is the possibility to say "I do" in the "wedding room" of the old lighthouse. The wedding carriage even drives right up to the front door.

Wittenberge Lighthouse

It is about 100 years since Joachim Brandt, the first lighthouse keeper in Hamburg Wittenberg, took up his work. The time of the lighthouse keeper finally passed in 1967, but despite electricity instead of the smell of paraffin, the fire of the Wittenberg lighthouse on the banks of the Elbe still evokes old seafaring romance. This may be due to the fact that its light still points the way for maritime navigation today.

The Pilsum Lighthouse

The Pilsum lighthouse is the landmark of the Krummhörn-Greetsiel holiday region. The small yellow-red building, which was erected in 1888, is only about eleven metres high and houses a whole 28 steps inside. Despite its low height, the tower has achieved nationwide fame. It became the main protagonist in the children's book series "Lükko Leuchtturm" (Lükko Lighthouse) by Bernd Flessner, the setting for Otto Waalkes' well-known cinema film and an ongoing place of longing for lovers, as many people who want to get married say "I do" here. Around 200 weddings take place in the Pilsum lighthouse every year.

Hohe Weg Lighthouse

25 kilometres northwest of Bremerhaven and three kilometres east of the bird island of Mellum stands the striking Hohe Weg lighthouse. The tower was built in 1855-1856 and is the oldest lighthouse still in operation on the German North Sea coast.

Eversand lighthouse

In Dorum-Neufeld in the district of Cuxhaven stands the former lighthouse Eversand-Oberfeuer and stands out first of all because of its unusual architecture. The tower was erected in 1886 within a year with a steel lattice substructure and a solid metal superstructure. It is about 38 metres high and, together with three other lighthouses, served as the "skyline" of Wurster Wadden for a good century. Today, the unusual building is a testimony to the development of navigation marks in the 19th century.

The Amrum lighthouse

With its 42 metres, the Amrum lighthouse is one of the highest lighthouses on the German North Sea coast. You have to climb 297 steps to reach the viewing platform with its round balcony. But the effort is worth it, from there visitors to the small North Sea island have a wonderful view over the sea.

Lighthouse on Pellworm

Until 1977, a lighthouse keeper lived and looked after the Pellworm lighthouse. He had the functions of a leading light until August 2002. This tower, which is about 17 metres high, consists of a metal framework and carries the lantern. It was "extinguished" in 2002 during the changeover. Today the lighthouse Pellworm has the function of a leading light. The Pellworm lighthouse can be climbed at certain times and offers the observer a wide view over the island of Pellworm and the Wadden Sea to the neighbouring island of Nordstrand, the mainland coast and the Halligen (for example Süderoog, Südfall and Nordstrandischmoor). Since 1998, civil weddings have also taken place at the lighthouse.