Lange Jaap, Cast iron lighthouse in Huisduinen, Netherlands
Lange Jaap is a cast iron lighthouse in Huisduinen standing 63.45 meters tall, built using over 1,088 iron plates assembled into 17 floor levels. Its massive metal framework creates a distinctive silhouette that dominates the harbor entrance and surrounding landscape.
Built in 1878 by architect Quirinus Harder, it replaced an earlier 22-meter tower from 1822 that relied on Argand lamps for its light. This replacement marked a major upgrade in maritime technology and reflected Den Helder's growing importance as a naval and trading harbor.
This lighthouse became well-known through Jan Helder's song 'Onze Lange Jaap', which helped establish it as a symbol of local pride. The tower remains central to how people in Den Helder connect to their maritime past and coastal heritage.
The lighthouse has been closed to visitors since September 2021 due to structural concerns and cracks in the cast iron. The barrier around the site should be respected while restoration and stabilization work continues on this monument.
According to The Lighthouse Directory, this stands as the world's tallest non-skeletal cast iron lighthouse, a rare engineering achievement from the 1800s. Few other lighthouses share this combination of height and all-metal solid construction.
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