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Roter Sand Lighthouse: Where will the historic building be moved?
The “Roter Sand” lighthouse is to be relocated to Wilhelmshaven. There are four locations to choose from; the deciding factors are technical feasibility and land ownership.
Roter Sand Lighthouse: Where will the historic building be moved?
In an exciting twist, the iconic “Roter Sand” lighthouse is once again in focus as consideration is given to relocating it from the mouth of the Weser. Four locations are applying for the contract: Hooksiel, Wilhelmshaven, Fedderwardersiel and Bremerhaven. The decision-making process is largely determined by technical feasibility and the consent of the respective landowners. A current report on the technical feasibility should be available soon, which could significantly advance the application process, reports nwzonline.de.
But what makes the “Red Sand” so special? Completed in 1885, this lighthouse is considered the first structure in the world to be built directly on the seabed. At 53 meters high and weighing 70 tons, it is not only a technical masterpiece, but also a symbol of progress in the German Empire. Its fire height is 24 meters above mean high water and has been providing orientation for new generations of seafarers for decades denkmalschutz.de.
The competitors for the location
Which location has the best chances? Hooksiel is doing well with an available area of almost 1200 square meters. The owner, Niedersachsen Ports, is fundamentally positive and is offering the area under leasehold. In Wilhelmshaven, on the other hand, the southern end of the Wiesbaden Bridge is being applied for, but a decision depends on the Federal Real Estate Agency and ultimately the Ministry of Defense, as the area is currently allocated to the Bundeswehr.
In Fedderwardersiel, Mayor Axel Linneweber made a concrete proposal: a location east of the harbor entrance in the mudflats, which, however, is under the legal influence of the state of Lower Saxony. Municipalization could be necessary. Bremerhaven has not yet provided a clear commitment to a possible location near the Lunesiel in the Weserwatt, as a request to the city remained unanswered.
The lighthouse and its challenges
Why is a relocation of the “Red Sand” necessary? In recent years the importance of the lighthouse has decreased, mainly due to the relocation of the shipping channel. Massive damage, such as rust through and problems with the foundation, made extensive renovation work essential. As early as the 1950s, it was determined that the structure was no longer durable in its original form and that a radar system could not be accommodated, which led to its decommissioning.
After protests from citizens and the support association “Leuchtturm Roter Sand e.V.” The tower was comprehensively secured in 1987. Today, however, it faces new challenges from climate change, whose effects such as rising sea levels and more intense storms are affecting the monument. Preservation at the original location seems impossible, but the aim is to relocate the top of the tower near the coast while leaving the foundation in place.
Lighthouses have always been a symbol of safety and reliability in shipping. Not only do they have historical significance, but they are also an important part of modern navigation. Estimates suggest that around a third of German lighthouses are listed buildings deutsche-leuchtfeuer.de. The course for the future of the “Roter Sand” has been set, while the decision on the new location and the challenges ahead are still pending.