Noordwijk Lighthouse, Maritime navigation aid on Queen Wilhelmina Boulevard, Netherlands.
Noordwijk Lighthouse is a 25.5-meter-tall stone tower on the North Sea coast with white walls, a wraparound balcony, and a lantern room at the top. The square structure was built to guide ships, and its design protects the inner mechanisms from salt spray and harsh coastal weather.
A wooden navigation structure from 1854 originally stood at this location before being replaced by the current stone tower in 1923. This replacement marked an advance in navigation technology and safety for vessels traveling along the Dutch coast.
The tower carries the name of the reigning queen at the time of its construction, reflecting Dutch tradition in honoring significant structures with royal names. Visitors notice how the white exterior has become a visual symbol closely tied to Noordwijk's identity as a seaside community.
Access is mainly available on Sundays when the tower opens for climbing, with 108 steps leading up six floors. Plan about an hour for the climb and to take in the view from the top.
The light signal creates a distinctive pattern with two short flashes followed by one long flash every 20 seconds, visible up to 33 kilometers out at sea. This rhythmic pattern was a unique identifier for sailors, helping them confirm their location along the coast.
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