Gollwitz lighthouse, Lighthouse on Poel island, Germany
The Gollwitz lighthouse is a small concrete tower on the northern coast of Poel island, marking the entrance to the bay of Wismar on the Baltic Sea. It has a square shape, is painted white, and carries a red lantern at a height of about 43 feet (13 meters).
A metal lattice tower was built at this spot in 1929 to warn ships about the shallows of Wismar bay, running on gas at a time when electricity was not yet available. In 1953, it was replaced by the current concrete tower, which was connected to the electric grid and produced a much brighter signal.
The Gollwitz lighthouse is a familiar landmark for walkers and cyclists who follow the coastal paths on the north side of Poel island. Its white body and red lantern stand out clearly against the flat landscape, making it easy to spot from a distance.
The tower stands about half a mile (1 kilometer) northwest of the village of Gollwitz and is easy to reach on foot or by bike along the coastal paths. It is not open to visitors inside, but can be seen clearly from the outside.
The light is controlled remotely from Travemünde, with no one on site to operate it. Its beam is divided into white, red, and green sectors, each visible at a different range, so that sailors can tell exactly where they are relative to the safe channel.
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