Leuchtfeuer Heidkate

Leuchtfeuer Heidkate is a cast iron navigation aid on the Lübeck Bay between Kieler Förde and Hohwachter Bucht. The facility transmits colored light signals to warn ships and guide them along the correct course.

The facility became operational in 1986 and was built as part of a safety network along the Schleswig-Holstein Baltic coast. Its installation replaced older navigation methods and modernized shipping safety in this coastal section.

The lighthouse serves as a familiar visual landmark for sailors and boats navigating the local waters. Its regular light signals create a rhythm that shapes daily maritime life and connects the coastal community to the sea.

The best way to reach the lighthouse is via the coastal route with clear views of the bay and surrounding landscape. Visitors should consider tides and weather conditions, as these affect accessibility and safety at the location.

The lighthouse houses an environmental radiation monitoring sensor that contributes to the Federal Office for Radiation Protection's early warning system. This function remains invisible to visitors but makes the location part of Germany's broader safety infrastructure beyond its navigation role.