Skagen's Vippefyr, Maritime navigational aid in Skagen, Denmark.
Skagen's Vippefyr is a bascule beacon featuring a counterweighted iron basket attached to a wooden beam that swung upward to display a coal fire for ships. The 1958 reconstruction stands precisely where the original operated and demonstrates how this simple mechanism guided vessels at sea.
The original beacon was built in 1627 to replace an earlier fire signal and served maritime navigation for two centuries. It was superseded in 1747 by the White Lighthouse as navigation methods improved.
The name comes from the Danish word 'vippe', meaning to tip or seesaw, which describes how this beacon worked to guide ships. Today visitors see a structure that represents an ingenious solution to a practical maritime problem.
The site is easily accessible and located in an open area near other historic sites in Skagen. Visitors should expect windy conditions and minimal shelter, so wearing appropriate clothing is important.
Each midsummer the beacon is relit for Sankt Hans Aften celebrations, connected to traditional beach bonfires in the community. This annual ritual links an ancient navigation technique to living local customs.
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