Užava lighthouse, Lighthouse in Užava Parish, Latvia
Užava lighthouse is a cylindrical white tower standing on a high sand dune overlooking the Baltic Sea. It features a circular balcony and lantern room at the top, from which visitors can look far across the coast and water.
A lighthouse first stood at this location in 1879, but was destroyed during World War I. The current tower was rebuilt in 1925 and has remained in place ever since.
The lighthouse serves as a landmark that has guided maritime traffic along the coast for generations, and visitors walking around it can sense its role as a practical waypoint rather than just a monument. The white cylinder rising from the dune is how local sailors and ships oriented themselves when navigating the Baltic, making it a working part of coastal life.
The lighthouse sits on an exposed dune right at the coast and is best visited during calm weather. The ground around the base can be muddy, so appropriate footwear is recommended.
The lighthouse requires constant protection against Baltic Sea erosion, which continuously wears away at the dune. Large rocks and specialized coastal reinforcement form a protective barrier that must be regularly monitored and maintained.
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