Battered Lighthouse in the North Sea Seeks a Fresh Land-Based Haven
Navigational beacon looks for fresh location - Historic Lighthouse Needs New Location Found
Hey there! Let's talk about the Red Sand Lighthouse, a well-known sea landmark in Germany - yes, it's in a bit of a pickle: it's losing the battle against wind and waves in the middle of the Weser estuary. This more than 140-year-old lighthouse is taking quite the beating, and it'shigh time it moved to solid ground - quite the unique project, attracting towns and municipalities across the mainland. Could it become the next big tourist draw?
Recent buzz suggests a few potential locations. Places like Wilhelmshaven, Bremerhaven, Hooksiel in the Frisian Wangerland, and Fedderwardersiel on the Butjadingen peninsula have staked their claims. According to Thomas Mertz, a spokesperson for the German Foundation for Monument Protection, there's no clear favorite, as the government owns the lighthouse, and the foundation manages the property.
As of now, there's no definite decision on the lighthouse's new home. Work isongoing, and we might hear more later in the summer. "We want to make a decision fast, but we don't want to rush such a unique event," says Mertz.
Moving a lighthouse? Unheard of, you say? Well, think again. In 2019, Denmark moved the Rubjerg Knude lighthouse on rails a mere 70 meters from a cliff. The Red Sand Lighthouse, on the other hand, is expected to journey dozens of kilometers from the sea to the mainland.
Why the move?
A 2019 report warned that the Red Sand Lighthouse was deteriorating at an alarming rate, posing a long-term stability risk. It's been out of service since 1964 and has been under monument protection since 1982.
Following the report's release, expert panels mulled over potential options - from letting the lighthouse decay naturally to on-site renovations to moving the tower. The expert panel's verdict in 2023: the tower should be dismantled and then rebuilt on land. No concrete timeline for the move has been set, but the foundation assures us maintenance will continue until then.
While the Red Sand Lighthouse seeks a new home amidst the various claims from Wilhelmshaven, Bremerhaven, Hooksiel, and Fedderwardersiel, communities across the mainland are brainstorming potential ways to contribute, especially in the areas of lifestyle, outdoor-living, and home-and-garden, to provide an optimal transition for the iconic structure into its fresh land-based haven. As the lighthouse's relocation echoes similar marine preservation efforts seen in the move of Denmark's Rubjerg Knude lighthouse, one can only imagine the possibilities for this unique community partnership, advancing regeneration and development in the industry of steel structures.
