Pilsum Lighthouse, Maritime navigation tower in Krummhörn, Germany
Pilsum Lighthouse is a maritime structure made of steel and cast iron in Krummhörn on the North Sea coast of Lower Saxony. The round tower displays horizontal red and yellow stripes and supports a green conical roof, reaching 11 meters (about 36 feet) above ground level.
The tower was completed in 1891 as a sector light for the Emshörn channel and helped ships navigate narrow waterways safely. Operations ceased in 1915 during the First World War, and it has not served navigation purposes since then.
The name comes from the village of Pilsum in the municipality of Krummhörn, where the tower has stood for more than a century. Many Germans recognize it from Otto Waalkes' 1989 film, which turned it into a popular photo spot for visitors from across the country.
Visitors reach the tower by a short footpath across flat grassland near the dike. The interior staircase includes 28 steps, accessible during guided tours that explain shipping and coastal protection.
Since 2004, couples can legally marry inside the tower and celebrate their ceremony in a historical maritime structure. The small chamber offers an unusual setting for ceremonies with views of the coastal landscape.
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