Bréhon Tower, Sea fort and lighthouse in Little Roussel Channel, Bailiwick of Guernsey
Brehon Tower is a circular stone structure sitting on a rocky islet in the channel between Guernsey and Sark. The building stands roughly 19 meters tall, contains three levels inside, and sends white light signals every two seconds to guide ships.
The tower was constructed between 1856 and 1857 as part of British defense efforts against French fortifications near Cherbourg. It replaced an earlier obelisk marker that had stood on this strategic location since 1744.
The tower gained protected status in 1969 and shows how the Channel Islands built sea defenses during the Victorian era. It remains a landmark that local people recognize as part of their maritime identity.
Reaching this tower requires a boat since it sits on an isolated rocky islet in open water. The structure is closed to visitors but continues to serve as a working navigation aid for ships passing through the channel.
During World War II, German forces mounted anti-aircraft weapons on the tower and used this strategic location to engage multiple aircraft. This chapter adds an unexpected military layer to the tower's story beyond its original purpose.
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