Großer Vogelsand lighthouse, Navigation lighthouse at the mouth of the Elbe River, Germany
Großer Vogelsand lighthouse was a navigation structure at the mouth of the Elbe River standing on a sandbank in the North Sea. The building consisted of a solid foundation tower and a separate head section that housed the light and guided ships through the challenging waters near Cuxhaven.
The structure was built in 1974 to replace the lightship Elbe 2, which had guided vessels for many years. After a long period of service, the facility was decommissioned in 1999 as automated navigation systems took over its role.
The name comes from the sandbank where it was built, reflecting the region's deep ties to seafaring. Visitors can see from the preserved tower head how important maritime structures were to local identity.
The structure stood on a sandbank that was difficult to reach and access. Maintenance was primarily handled by helicopter, with control operations managed from the mainland.
After decommissioning, the massive tower head was transported by barge to Bremerhaven in 2010 and saved from the sea. The preserved section now stands in a museum, showing the remarkable engineering that went into this beacon.
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