Swakopmund lighthouse, Maritime navigation tower in Swakopmund, Namibia.
Leuchtturm Swakopmund is a cylindrical tower of stone and concrete, painted in red and white bands, standing 28 metres tall on the Atlantic coast. A double gallery rings it at 28 metres, and the lantern house and rotating light installed in 1982 sit above, with a stainless-steel weathervane added in March 1983. Around the round tower, segment-shaped outbuildings once housed keepers and stores.
The tower was built in 1902 and initially served as a modest navigational aid for growing maritime traffic along the coast. A major expansion followed in 1910 to improve the range of light signals and guide larger vessels.
The lighthouse is an iconic landmark of the town and shapes how visitors perceive the coastal area. People recognize it immediately by its red and white stripes, which stand out against the sky and reflect the maritime identity of Swakopmund.
The tower is easy to reach on foot from the harbor area and offers a good vantage point over the town. Visitors should note that access to the interior may be limited, and days with strong winds can make climbing more difficult.
The tower's light was electrified in 1980, and the current lantern house with its rotating light followed in 1982. A stainless-steel weather vane was mounted on top in March 1983. The light sits at 35 metres and sends two white flashes every 10 seconds, visible up to 33 kilometres.
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