Westerlichttoren, Lighthouse in Haamstede, Netherlands
Westerlichttoren is a lighthouse in Haamstede along the Dutch coast, recognizable by its red and white spiral pattern. The tower rises about 50 meters high and was built to withstand the coastal environment with particularly thick stone walls.
The tower was built between 1837 and 1840 according to architect L. Valk's design to guide ships safely along the Dutch coast. It served as an important navigation aid for maritime traffic of that era.
The structure received Rijksmonument status in 1982, recognizing its importance within Dutch maritime heritage and architectural achievements.
Visitors can climb an interior staircase of stone and metal steps to reach a viewing point near the top. The ascent requires some physical effort but rewards you with views of the surroundings and coastline.
The building once appeared on an old Dutch 250-guilder banknote and uses a second-order Fresnel lens inside. This special lens creates a distinctive flash pattern that helped sailors recognize it from other lighthouses.
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