Świnoujście Lighthouse

Świnoujście Lighthouse (Polish: Latarnia Morska Świnoujście) is an active lighthouse in Świnoujście, Poland. At a height of 212 feet (65 m) it is the fifteenth tallest "traditional lighthouse" in the world, as well as the tallest brick lighthouse,[3] and the tallest in Poland. It is located on the east bank of the river Świna just inside the entrance.

Świnoujście Lighthouse
Poland
Świnoujście Lighthouse (West Pomeranian Voivodeship)
Świnoujście Lighthouse (Baltic Sea)
LocationŚwinoujście
West Pomeranian Voivodeship
Poland
Coordinates53.915979°N 14.284340°E / 53.915979; 14.284340
Year first constructed1828 (first)
Year first lit1857 (current)
Constructionbrick tower
Tower shapecylindrical tower with balcony and lantern rising from an octagonal prism basement with balcony
Markings / patternunpainted yellow brick tower, red dwelling, black lantern
Tower height212 feet (65 m)[1]
Focal height223 feet (68 m)
Original lens1st order Fresnel lens
Rangewhite: 25 nautical miles (46 km; 29 mi)
red: 9 nautical miles (17 km; 10 mi)
Characteristicwhite light 4s on, 1s off; red light southwestward
Admiralty numberC2668
NGA number116-6116
ARLHS numberPOL-019[2]

History
The lighthouse on a late 19th century postcard

The first lighthouse in the location was built in 1828 when the town was part of the Kingdom of Prussia and called Swinemünde. The current structure is from 1857. The cross-section of the entire 1857 tower was octagonal. However, in 1902–1903 the tower was restored to repair spalled brickwork. This converted the shape of the tower above the first gallery to the current round shape.

The tower was damaged during World War II. In 1945, during the retreat of the German troops, an order was given to destroy the lighthouse. However, the German keeper refused the order and the tower survived. The damage was only repaired in 1959, some fourteen years after the town was annexed by Poland.

In 1998–2000, for the new Millennium, the lighthouse was restored. It was reopened to the public in August 2000,[4] along with a lighthouse museum in the keeper's house.

Construction

The tower is built of yellow bricks and is unpainted. The base of the tower is octagonal with a gallery. The tower itself is round with a second gallery and a lantern. In clear weather the view from the top gallery is about 45 kilometres (28 mi). Adjacent to the tower is a 2-story brick keeper's house and a museum.

There are 300 steps up to the second gallery.[4]

Visiting

The museum and tower are open Monday through Friday.

See also

References
  1. According to the List of Lights. 213 feet (65 m) according to The Lighthouse Directory.
  2. Świnoujście lighthouse Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 17 March 2016
  3. Rowlett, Russ. "The Tallest Lighthouses". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
  4. "Tourism". swinoujscie.pl. Archived from the original on 29 July 2010. Retrieved 10 August 2010.
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