Amsterdam Lighthouses Lighthouse
Location & Light Range
About Amsterdam Lighthouses Lighthouse
This octagonal skeletal tower, built of steel and standing 19.5 meters tall, was first lit in 1893. The tower is painted black with a white lantern and watchroom, topped by a red lantern dome. Its focal height is 18 meters, providing a geographic range of 12.7 nautical miles. The light emits an occulting red or white signal every 5 seconds. Constructed in 1893, it is located on Vuurtoreneiland at the northern entrance to Amsterdam's IJ harbor. The lighthouse was deactivated in September 2003, returned to service in 2004, and has been officially inactive since 2006, though restoration efforts began in 2016.
Why it matters: Recognized as a national monument since 1981 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the lighthouse and its island represent an important example of late 19th-century industrial construction.
Light & Optic
- Flash Type
- Occulting
- Light Color
- Red/White
- Interval
- 5s
- Raw Code
- Oc R or W 5s
- Focal Height
- 18m
- Geographic Range
- 12.7NM
Construction & History
- Year Built
- 1893
- Heritage Status
- National monument 1981, UNESCO World Heritage Site
Significant events: Deactivated September 2003, put back in service 2004, officially inactive since 2006, transferred to Staatsbosbeheer, request for proposals for restoration and commercial use 2011, restoration of historic buildings started 2016, restaurant opened, boutique hotel planned
References & Identifiers
- Nearest Port
- Muiden(2.8 km)
- Admiralty No.
- B0835.
- ARLHS No.
- NET-010
Tower & Structure
- Tower Height
- 19.5m
- Tower Shape
- octagonal
- Tower Color
- Skeletal tower painted black, lantern and watchroom white; lantern dome is red
- Material
- steel
Structure: octagonal skeletal tower with enclosed watch room, lantern and gallery
Location
- City
- Amsterdam
- Country
- 🇳🇱Netherlands
- Region
- North Holland
- Sea Region
- The IJ (Het IJ or 't IJ in Dutch) is the traditional harbor of Amsterdam, located at the southwestern corner of the former Zuiderzee, now the Markermeer. Located on Vuurtoreneiland (Lighthouse Island), an island off the point (the Hoek 't IJ) at the northern entrance to the harbor, near Durgerdam.
- Latitude
- 52.3718°
- Longitude
- 5.0141°
Nearby Vessels
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