Westerlichttoren

51°42′32.3″N 3°41′29.6″E / 51.708972°N 3.691556°E / 51.708972; 3.691556TowerConstructed1840Constructionbrick towerAutomatedyesHeight50 metres (160 ft)Shapecylindrical tower with balcony and lanternMarkingswhite and red spiral tower, red lantern and domeHeritageRijksmonument LightFocal height58 metres (190 ft)Lenssecond order Fresnel lens Intensity2000 WRange30 nautical miles (56 km)CharacteristicGp Fl.(2+1)Netherlands no.NL-0324^[1]

The Westerlichttoren or West Schouwen is a lighthouse in Haamstede, Netherlands. Designed by L. Valk, it was built in 1837. At 47 m above ground and a light stand at 58 m above sea level it is one of the tallest lighthouses in the Netherlands.

The lighthouse is built in brick and iron, the walls are 2.4 m thick at the bottom, tapering upward. It is painted in a red-and-white spiral. A stair of 226 steps, in stone and partially in iron, leads to the top. The lighthouse is unattended.

Light

The lighthouse is switched on and off automatically by a light sensor. A sailor can recognise the light by its characteristic: group flash 2+1. The current lenses were installed in 1953. Originally the light was an incandescent light bulb of 4200 W, which has been replaced by a 2000 W gas-discharge lamp.

Notability

This lighthouse was well known by the public as it was used for the former 250 Dutch guilder note designed by Ootje Oxenaar.

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Westerlichttoren.