Stenen Baak, Stone lighthouse in Oostvoorne, Netherlands.
Stenen Baak is a square brick tower near the Brielle harbor entrance that rises about 15 meters above the surrounding landscape. The structure displays solid masonry typical of early modern construction and now serves as an extension of the local history museum.
The tower was built in 1650 to replace earlier wooden navigation structures and guide vessels through the Maas estuary. By the 18th century it became part of a wider military defense system before ceasing its lighthouse role in 1850.
The name comes from the Dutch word for beacon or navigation marker. Today it remains a focal point in the harbor landscape, connecting visitors to centuries of maritime tradition along this waterway.
The tower is easily accessible from the harbor area and can be viewed from the outside, with nearby historic port structures making a walk through the area rewarding. As a museum extension it provides a good starting point for learning more about the maritime history of the region.
Beyond serving as a navigation aid, the tower featured a special furnace for heating cannonballs during the 18th century, a rare feature for coastal defense structures of that period. This function made it an important element in the harbor's defense strategy long after it stopped guiding ships.
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