Special lighthouses: Heligoland – its light is a reminder of darker times

Heligoland, the red rock in the North Sea; many have forgotten that Germany’s only offshore island has not actually been German for very long. It was not until 1890 that this came to pass, after the German Empire had received it from Great Britain in exchange for Zanzibar. The imposing lighthouse in its present form is a direct result of this exchange – in a tragic sense.

Heligoland: Smuggling and summer holidays

Heligoland was a British Crown Colony for almost 100 years, from 1807 – when it was ‘taken’ from the Danes during the Napoleonic Wars – until 1890. During this period, the island underwent a spectacular transformation, from a smuggling hub to a seaside resort. After all, holidaymakers seeking a summer retreat didn’t care that the Union Jack was flying at the harbour in the lowlands.

For shipping in the German Bight, the red sandstone rock and its surrounding reefs were therefore both a destination and an obstacle. Consequently, the British built the first lighthouse as early as 1810. It stood until 1902, when it was replaced by a more powerful successor. Its design was modelled on that of the lighthouse at Cape Arkona on the island of Rügen. It might still be standing today had it not been for the fact that first the Kaiser and later Hitler viewed Heligoland primarily as one thing: a heavily armed fortress.

• Name: Helgoland Lighthouse, Germany
• Location: German Bight, North Sea
• Position: 54°10'54.7"N 007°52'56.8"E
• Tower height: 35 m
• Fire height: 82 m
• Reference: Fl W. 5s

From an anti-aircraft control post to a lighthouse

Shortly before the end of the war, on 18 and 19 April 1945, the Royal Air Force carried out heavy bombing raids on the island. The lighthouse, too, fell victim to the destruction. When the smoke had cleared, only a single structure remained standing amidst the wasteland of rubble on the mainland – a high-rise bunker, the square concrete block from which Heligoland’s anti-aircraft defences had been directed.

With the return of peace came the need to re-establish a navigational landmark for shipping. And so it came to pass that, in the absence of any other suitable buildings, the former anti-aircraft control post – which had sustained only minor damage – was fitted with a temporary lantern room in 1952 and became the new lighthouse. Raised in height and clad in red brick in 1964, it took on the basic features of its present appearance. Owing to its peaceful function, its wartime past is now barely recognisable.

The most powerful German lighthouse has also been rotating at its summit since 1964. Its nominal range is 28 nautical miles. A high-pressure xenon lamp produces light with an intensity of 35 megacandelas. This is roughly equivalent to the light from 35 million candles or 350,000 100-watt incandescent bulbs. Even on the mainland, its flashes can be seen in good conditions.

For visiting boats: WSC Helgoland jetties

Visitors arriving under their own steam flock to Heligoland in large numbers, particularly in summer. Although the South Harbour is a federal shelter harbour and can be entered at any tide, there is no commercial marina in operation.

Mooring spaces are available, depending on the size of the boat, in the South Harbour at the floating jetty along the East Quay, and at the central jetty (of the Helgoland Water Sports Club, advance registration required), and, where applicable, at the North and West Quays. On-site registration takes place at the Helgoland Port Authority. In addition, there are moorings in the North-East Harbour, where you must register with the harbour master of the WSC Helgoland.