Hoge vuurtoren van IJmuiden, Coastal lighthouse in IJmuiden, Netherlands
The Hoge vuurtoren is a 43-meter tall lighthouse with ten floors built entirely from cast iron. Its two Fresnel lenses project light visible from far out at sea to guide ships into the North Sea Canal.
Architect Quirinus Harder designed this lighthouse in 1878 to guide ships entering the North Sea Canal from open water. It was built during a period of major port expansion in the Netherlands.
The structure is a protected monument that reflects Dutch engineering from the 19th century. Its cast iron construction shows the maritime technology that was important to the nation at that time.
The lighthouse operates unmanned and can be viewed from outside, offering views of the harbor entrance and North Sea. Climbing the 159 interior steps requires good physical condition and is available at certain times.
This lighthouse works in partnership with a shorter lighthouse nearby to create what sailors call leading lights, a navigation method that helps them stay aligned on the correct course. This paired-light technique was effective for guiding ships into narrow channels and remains in use today.
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