Westturm, Cultural heritage tower in Wangerooge, Germany.
The Westturm is a historic structure on the East Frisian island of Wangerooge with origins from the late Middle Ages. It served maritime navigation for centuries as a reference point for ships traveling through the North Sea.
The structure was first mentioned around 1350, but underwent significant changes in 1597 and again in 1932. These alterations reflect how the island adapted its defenses and navigational aids over different centuries.
The tower has shaped how people see Wangerooge for centuries and serves visitors as a clear landmark in the landscape. Locals and travelers alike use it as a reference point to navigate the flat North Sea surroundings.
The tower is easy to reach on foot or by bicycle from Wangerooge village and offers good viewing points in the flat landscape. Information boards at various spots on the island explain its importance to maritime history and the island's development.
The tower once served as part of Gauss's geodetic measurement network that transformed how Germany was mapped. This scientific role is largely unknown to today's visitors, even though the structure continues to function as a navigation landmark.
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