Bremerhaven lighthouse

The Bremerhaven Lighthouse stands at the northern side of the New Harbour lock in Bremerhaven. Built between 1853 and 1855 in northern German Brick Gothic style, it was designed by architect Simon Loschen. The tower went into operation in 1856 and remains the oldest working lighthouse on Germany’s mainland North Sea coast. Beside it is a brick service building that once housed lock and lighthouse keepers. During the Second World War the building was partly destroyed by fire. The lighthouse originally guided ships down the Weser using leading lights. Its gas flame was electrified in 1925 and the tower was automated in 1951. Today it serves as the rear light for the upstream range installed in 1959. The matching front light, known locally as ‘the minaret’, stands on the southern pier in a small red and white lighthouse. Visitors reach the tower along the harbour promenade lined with cranes and museum ships. The brick exterior rises about twenty metres and the lantern room is reached by an internal spiral stair. From the gallery around the lantern there are wide views across the lock, the river and the North Sea. The adjacent keeper’s house has been restored and now displays exhibits on the lighthouse’s history.