Lighthouses of Germany: West Holstein

The Federal Republic of Germany (Bundesrepublik Deutschland in German) occupies a central location in northern Europe with two coastlines, one facing northwest on the North Sea and the other facing northeast on the Baltic Sea. The country's history is long and complex. The large number of historically independent German regions came together in 1871 to form the German Empire. The Empire became a republic after World War I (1914-18). After World War II (1939-45) Germany was divided into two countries, the German Federal Republic in the west, usually called West Germany, and the Communist-led German Democratic Republic in the east, usually called East Germany. After the Communist government collapsed the Federal Republic reunified the nation in October 1990.

Germany is a federal republic with 16 member states called Bundesländer. Holstein is the southern portion of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany's northernmost state. Holstein has coasts on the North Sea on the west and on the Baltic Sea on the east; in the west it includes the land between the Elbe and Eider Rivers. This page includes the lighthouses of Holstein along the north bank of the Elbe and on the North Sea coast south of the Eider.

From 1815 to 1864 the Duchy of Holstein was a member of the German Confederation, but it was ruled by the King of Denmark, who also held the title Duke of Holstein. Prussia conquered and annexed Holstein in the Second Schleswig War in 1864.

Interest in lighthouses is strong in Germany and most of the towers are in good condition. A federal law provides blanket protection to historic lighthouses. There is concern, however, that many of the lights may be deactivated in the coming years as navigators depend less and less on them.

In German a lighthouse is a Leuchtturm ("light tower"), plural Leuchttürme. The front light of a range is the Unterfeuer and the rear light is the Oberfeuer. There are many modern range lighthouses and most of these towers are crowned by a topmark: a large, distinctive structure that serves to mark the range clearly in the daytime. Some topmarks are conical, others are funnel-shaped, and some consist of one or more gallery-like rings around the tower.

In German Insel is an island, Riff is a reef, Kap is a cape, Bucht is a bay, Fluss is a river, Mündung is a river mouth or estuary, and Hafen is a harbor. The word Straße ("street") is also used for a waterway or strait.

Lighthouses in Germany are operated by the regional harbor authority, called the WSA (Wasserstraßen- und Schiffahrtsamt). Most of the lights on this page are in the jurisdiction of WSA Elbe-Nordsee. The WSA's are linked to and regulated by a federal agency, the Wasserstraßen- und Schifffahrtsverwaltung des Bundes (WSV).

ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. DE numbers are the German light list (Leuchtfeuerverzeichnis) numbers as noted on Erich Hartmann's website. Admiralty numbers are from volume B of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA List numbers are from NGA Publication 114.


Büsum Light, Büsum, September 2023
Instagram photo by Clemens Kurek

General Sources
Leuchttürme und Leuchtfeuer an der Ostsee
Photos and information posted by Erich Hartmann, a contributor to the Online List of Lights.
Online List of Lights - Germany - North Coast
Photos by various photographers posted by Alexander Trabas. Some of the photos are by Hartmann, Rainer Arndt, or Capt. Peter Mosselberger ("Capt. Peter").
Leuchtturm-Atlas
A large site with excellent photos and information on nearly all German lighthouses, maintained by Frank and Birgit Toussaint.
Leuchttürme.net - Deutschland
Outstanding photos by Malte Werning.
Deutsche Leuchttürme an der Nordsee
Photos by Bernd Claußen.
Lighthouses in Germany
Aerial photos posted by Marinas.com.
Lighthouses in Schleswig-Holstein
Photos by various photographers available from Wikimedia.
World of Lighthouses - Germany
Photos by various photographers available from Lightphotos.net.
Leuchtturmseiten von Anke und Jens - Germany
This site has photos and information on many of the lights.
Deutsche Leuchttürme/Feuerschiffe
Photos posted by Klause Huelse. Huelse also has a large collection of historic postcard views.
Interessengemeinschaft Seezeichen e.V.
Germany's national lighthouse preservation organization.
GPSNavigationCharts
Navigational chart information for North Frisia.

Steindeich Light (Leuchturm Elbe), Steindeich, June 2022
Instagram photo by adel_mirko

Pinneberg District Lighthouses

The estuary of the Elbe River leads to the major port of Hamburg and has been improved for the navigation of large vessels, guided by more than 70 lighthouses in all: the largest number of lighthouses on any inland waterway in the world.

Wedel Area Lighthouses
* Pagensand Nord (1) (relocated)
1933. Inactive since 1993. 12 m (40 ft) round cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery, painted red. Leuchtturm-Atlas has a page for the lighthouse, Hartmann also has a page, a closeup photo is available, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. This is one of three identical towers built at Pagensand during 1932-34. The deactivated lighthouse was relocated to the WSA Hamburg buoy depot in Wedel, a town on the north side of the Elbe about 16 km (10 mi) west of downtown Hamburg. Located on Deichstraße on the Wedel waterfront. Site open, tower closed. ex-DE 310820; ex-Admiralty B1500.
Juelssand (2)
1896 (station established 1873). Inactive since 2010. 16 m (52 ft) square cylindrical brick tower with lantern and gallery rising at one corner of a 1-story brick keeper's house. Building painted white; lantern roof is black. G. Baetje has the 2021 photo at right, Elke und Helmut Fleer have a photo, Gunnar Ries has a 2009 photo, and Google has a satellite view. This light guided downstream (westbound) traffic. The lighthouse is sealed and abandoned. Juelssand is a marshy island off the north bank of the Elbe. Located on the north side of the Elbe at a bend in the river, about 7 km (4 mi) west northwest of Wedel. There does not appear to be any land access to this location. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: private. ARLHS FED-120; ex-Admiralty B1528.

Pagensand Lighthouses
Pagensand is a 6 km (4 mi) long island in the Elbe south of Kollmar. Most of the island is artificial, built with dredge spoil from the river in the early 20th century. Today much of the island is set aside as an ecological reserve. The main channel of the river is west of the island.

Pagensand Mitte Oberfeuer (2)
1992 (station established 1893). Active; focal plane 32 m (105 ft); white light 2 s on, 2 s off, synchronized with the front light. Approx. 30 m (98 ft) round cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery, painted with red and white horizontal bands. Trabas has Hartmann's view from the river, Juliane Herrmann has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. This range guides upstream (eastbound) traffic as it approaches the island. Located in the middle of Pagensand. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Operator: WSA Elbe-Nordsee. ARLHS FED-183; DE 310801; Admiralty B1498.1.

Juelssand Light, Wedel, August 2021
Google Maps photo by G Baetje
Pagensand Mitte Unterfeuer (2)
1992 (station established 1893). Active; focal plane 20 m (66 ft); white light 2 s on, 2 s off, synchronized with the rear light. 20.5 m (67 ft) round cylindrical tower with lantern and two galleries, painted with red and white horizontal bands. Trabas has Hartmann's view from the river, Juliane Herrmann has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the west bank of Pagensand. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Operator: WSA Elbe-Nordsee. ARLHS FED-181; DE 310800; Admiralty B1498.
#Pagensand Mitte
1933. Inactive since 1992 and demolished in 2010. This was a 12 m (40 ft) round cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on a hexagonal stone base. Lighthouse painted red with one white horizontal band. The light was deactivated in 1992 but the tower continued to function as a daybeacon and was floodlit at night. Google has a satellite view of the surviving base of the lighthouse. In September 2010 the lighthouse was removed and scrapped. This is one of three identical towers built at Pagensand during 1932-34. The Pagensand Nord tower is preserved at Wedel and the Pagensand Süd tower was relocated to Hamburg in 2015 (see the Hamburg page). Located on a shoal northwest of its replacement, the Pagensand Mitte Unterfeuer (previous entry). Accessible only by boat. Site open. ARLHS FED-185.
Pagensand Nord Unterfeuer
1986. Active; focal plane 20 m (66 ft); white light 4 s on, 4 s off, synchronized with the rear light. 20 m (66 ft) round cylindrical tower with lantern and two galleries, painted red with a white horizontal band. Trabas has Capt. Peter Mosselberger's closeup photo and Google has a satellite view. This light and the Kollmar Oberfeuer form a downstream (westbound) range guiding ships around the west side of the island. Located on an artificial islet in the river off the northern end of the island. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Operator: WSA Elbe-Nordsee. ARLHS FED-182; DE 310960; Admiralty B1501.
Pagensand Nord (Leitfeuer) (2)
1993 (station established 1932). Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); white flash every 6 s; also a directional light, white, red, or green, occulting once every 6 s. 12 m (40 ft) round cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery mounted on a hexagonal stone base. Lighthouse painted red. Trabas has the photo by Capt. Peter Mosselberger seen at right and Google has a satellite view. This light is a near-copy of the original lighthouse, which was relocated to the WSA Hamburg buoy depot in Wedel (see above). Located on a stony artificial islet in the river northwest of the northern tip of the island. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Operator: WSA Elbe-Nordsee. ARLHS FED-180; DE 310820; Admiralty B1500.

Pagensand Nord Light, Pagensand, August 2017
photo copyright Capt. Peter Mosselberger; used by permission

Steinburg District Lighthouses

Kollmar Area Lighthouses
* Kollmar (Pagensand Nord) Oberfeuer
1986. Active; focal plane 40 m (131 ft); white light 4 s on, 4 s off, synchronized with the front light. 40 m (131 ft) round cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery, painted red with a white horizontal band. A 2024 photo is at right, Werning has a good photo, Trabas has Capt. Peter Mosselberger's closeup, Gunnar Liedtke has a 2023 photo, Mirko Jeckstadt has a closeup, and Google has a satellite view. Located beside the riverside highway on the north bank of the Elbe at Kollmar, 1330 m (0.8 mi) north of the front light. Site open, tower closed. Operator: WSA Elbe-Nordsee. . ARLHS FED-184; DE 310961; Admiralty B1501.1.
* Steindeich (Leuchtturm Elbe)
1968. Inactive since 1995. 33 m (108 ft) round cylindrical tower with lantern, equipment room, and double gallery, rising from the center of an octagonal 1-story brick control building. Tower painted with narrow red and white horizontal bands. A 2022 closeup photo is at the top of this page, Werning has a photo, Walter Steenblock has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. This tower carries a radar antenna that formerly played a key role in monitoring ship traffic on the Elbe. It was deactivated when the advent of satellite navigation made it unnecessary. The lighthouse was sold into private hands. Located behind the dike on the northwest bank of the Elbe at Steindeich, about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) west of Kollmar. Owner/site manager: Leuchtturm Elbe. ARLHS FED-229; ex-Admiralty B1490.

Glückstadt Area Lighthouses
Bielenberg
1907. Inactive since 1969. Approx. 8 m (26 ft) square tower embedded in one corner of 1-story keeper's house. Lantern removed. Building painted white with gray trim. Werning has a good photo and Google has a satellite view. The lighthouse has been refurbished as a private residence. The light was moved to a fiberglass tower, which remained in service until the new Kollmar lighthouse was commissioned in 1986. Located on the northeast bank of the Elbe at Bielenberg, roughly opposite the Ruthensand lighthouses. Site status unknown. Owner/site manager: private. ARLHS FED-283.
Rhinplate Süd
1991. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); flash every 6 s, white or red depending on direction. Approx. 42 m (140 ft) round cylindrical tower topped by communications equipment; a wide gallery at the 15 m (50 ft) level carries a radar antenna and the navigation light. Tower painted white. Trabas has a photo showing only a lower section of the tower, Juliane Herrmann has a closeup of the observation level, Tobias Kappeler has a distant drone view, and Google has a good satellite view. Rhinplatte is a long, narrow island on the northeastern side of the Elbe just off Glückstadt. Located in the river just off the southern tip of the island. Accessible only by boat, but the lighthouse can be viewed from Bielenberg or from the other side of the river at Krautsand. Site and tower closed. Operator: WSA Elbe-Nordsee. DE 310720; Admiralty B1489.

Kollmar Light , Kollmar, November 2024
Instagrams photo by andy_randy1887
* Glückstadt Hafen (Nordmole) (3)
1995 (station established 1846). Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); white, red, or green light, depending on direction, occulting once every 6 s. 9 m (30 ft) round cylindrical tower with round lantern and gallery, mounted on a square stone and concrete base. Entire lighthouse painted white. D. Langrehr-du Mont's 2024 photo is at right, Werning has a photo, Trabas has Capt. Peter Mosselberger's closeup photo, Bo Hansen has a street view, and Google has a satellite view. The original lighthouse, built by Denmark and seen in Huelse's postcard view, was replaced in 1914 with a square skeletal tower seen in a second postcard view. The modern light stands on the stone base of the 1914 light and its lantern was designed as a replica of the 1914 lantern. Glückstadt is the terminal for ferries crossing the Elbe to Wischhafen. Located at the northern entrance to Glückstadt harbor, on the northeast side of the Elbe. Site open, tower closed. Operator: WSA Elbe-Nordsee. ARLHS FED-090; DE 310600; Admiralty B1476.
* Glückstadt Oberfeuer (2)
2018 (station established 1937). Active; focal plane 40 m (131 ft); white light 4 s on, 4 s off, synchronized with the front light. 33 m (108 ft) tapered round concrete tower with triangular lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted with red and white horizontal bands, lantern painted white with a black roof. Trabas has a great photo by Hartmann, a 2021 photo is available, Charles Hutchins has a photo, and Google has aa 2022 street view and a satellite view. This lighthouse replaced a shorter tower that had a focal plane of 30 m (98 ft). A photo of the older tower by Charles Hutchins is at right and Werning also has a photo. This is the rear light of an upstream (eastbound) range leading the ferries to Glückstadt. The lighthouse was refurbished and modernized in 1995. Located on the Neuendeich road at Jahnstraße in Glückstadt. Site open, tower closed. Operator:WSA Elbe-Nordsee. ARLHS FED-091; DE 310501; Admiralty B1456.1.
* Glückstadt Unterfeuer (2)
2018 (station established 1937). Active; focal plane 21 m (69 ft); white light 4 s on, 4 s off, synchronized with the rear light. 21 m (69 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with triangular lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted with red and white horizontal bands, lantern painted white with a black roof. Trabas has a photo by Hartmann, a 2017 photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse replaced a shorter tower that had a focal plane of 15 m (49 ft). Thomas Schmikat has a July 2018 photo showing both the old and new towers. Werning has a good photo and Google has a good photo. Located on the northeast bank of the Elbe 1250 m (0.78 mi) northwest of the rear light. Site open, tower closed. Operator:WSA Elbe-Nordsee. ARLHS FED-089; DE 310500; Admiralty B1456.

Glückstadt Hafen Light, Glückstadt, October 2024
Google Maps photo by D. Langrehr-du Mont
* Stör Unterfeuer
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 7 m (23 ft); white flash every 3 s, synchronized with the rear light. 7 m (23 ft) round brick tower. The lantern has been removed and the light is now shone through a small opening in the middle of a triangular daymarker. Trabas has a closeup, Andreas Köhler has a 2021 photo, and Google has a satellite view. The rear light is mounted on a bar supported by two poles; it can be moved laterally to adjust for minor changes in the channel alignment. Located at the mouth of the Stör River about 4 km (2.5 mi) north of Glückstadt. Site open, tower closed. Operator: WSA Elbe-Nordsee. ARLHS FED-348; DE 310560; Admiralty B1464.

Wewelsfleth Area Lighthouses
* Hollerwettern Unterfeuer (2)
1982 (station established 1911). Active; focal plane 21 m (69 ft); white light 2 s on, 2 s off, synchronized with the rear light. 22 m (72 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern, a lower gallery, and two upper galleries forming a drum-shaped topmark. Lighthouse painted red with one white horizontal band. Werning has a good photo, Trabas has a closeup photo, another photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the northeast bank of the Elbe near Hollerwettern, about 5 km (3 mi) southeast of Wewelsfleth. Site open, tower closed. Operator: WSA Elbe-Nordsee. . ARLHS FED-350; DE 310520; Admiralty B1458.
* Hollerwettern Unterfeuer (1)
1911. Inactive since 1982. 18 m (60 ft) square tower with large lantern and gallery rising from a front corner of a 2-story keeper's house. Tower painted red, lantern white; keeper's house painted gray. This light was the front light of a downstream (westbound) range; the rear light was the original Brokdorf Oberfeuer, now demolished. Changes in the river channel made the old range obsolete. Ulf Scheeler has the 2018 photo seen at right, Oliver Geilhardt has a 2020 photo, a 2023 photo is available, Werning has a photo, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. The lighthouse is in use as a private residence. Located in the village of Hollerwettern on the northeast side of the Elbe, about 4 km (2.5 mi) southeast of Wewelsfleth. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: private. . ARLHS FED-109.
Osterende Oberfeuer
1984. Active; focal plane 36 m (118 ft); white light 2 s on, 2 s off, synchronized with the front light. 38 m (125 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery forming a funnel-shaped topmark. Lighthouse painted with black and white horizontal bands, instead of the usual red and white, to distinguish it from the nearby Brokdorf Oberfeuer. Werning has a photo, Trabas has a closeup, and Google has a satellite view. The Osterende range is an upsteam (eastbound) range and helps guide ships approaching a major bend in the river. Located in a field east of the Brokdorf nuclear power plant. Site status unknown. Operator: WSA Elbe-Nordsee. ARLHS FED-345; DE 310351; Admiralty B1457.51.
Brokdorf (3) (Hollerwettern Oberfeuer)
1982 (station established 1889). Active; focal plane 44 m (144 ft); white light 2 s on, 2 s off, synchronized with the front light. 22 m (72 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and two upper galleries forming a drum-shaped topmark. Lighthouse painted with red and white horizontal bands. Werning has a fine photo, Trabas has Capt. Peter Mosselberger's photo, and Google has a satellite view. Huelse also has a postcard view of the 1911 lighthouse, which was demolished in 1982. Located in the midst of the former Brokdorf nuclear power plant (decommissioned 31 December 2021). 1560 m (1 mi) north of the front light. Site and tower closed. Operator: WSA Elbe-Nordsee. DE 310521; Admiralty B1460.

1911 Hollerwettern Light, Hollerwettern, October 2018
Google Maps photo by Ulf Scheeler
* Osterende Unterfeuer
1984. Active; focal plane 20 m (66 ft); white light 2 s on, 2 s off, synchronized with the rear light. 21 m (69 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery forming a funnel-shaped topmark. Lighthouse painted with black and white horizontal bands to match the markings of the Oberfeuer. Werning has a good closeup, Trabas has a good photo, another photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the northeast bank of the Elbe in front of the Brokdorf nuclear power plant, 1025 m (0.6 mi) south of the rear light. Site open, tower closed. Operator: WSA Elbe-Nordsee. ARLHS FED-346; DE 310350; Admiralty B1457.5.

St. Margarethen Area Lighthouses
* Scheelenkuhlen Oberfeuer (3)
1976 (station established 1880). Active; focal plane 44 m (144 ft); white light 4 s on, 4 s off, synchronized with the front light. 47 m (154 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted with red and white horizontal bands. Werning has a good photo, Trabas has a photo by Capt. Peter Mosselberger, a 2021 distant view is available, and Google has a satellite view and a distant street view. This is the rear light of an upstream (eastbound) range. The wooden tower built here in 1880 was replaced with a 10 m (33 ft) brick tower in 1887; unfortunately, that tower was demolished in 1976 when its directional light was replaced with the present range lights. Located north of the B431 highway about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) southeast of St. Margarethen. Site open, tower closed. Operator: WSA Elbe-Nordsee. ARLHS FED-321; DE 310301; Admiralty B1454.1; NGA 10574.2.
* Scheelenkuhlen Unterfeuer (2)
1976 (station established 1897). Active; focal plane 20 m (66 ft); white light 4 s on, 4 s off, synchronized with the rear lights. 23 m (75 ft) round cylindrical fiberglass tower with lantern and gallery, painted with red and white horizontal bands. This tower carries the front range lights for both the upstream Scheelenkuhlen and downstream St. Margarthen ranges. Trabas has a closeup by Capt. Peter Mosselberger, Werning has a good photo, Joerg Sundermann has a 2018 photo, and Google has the 2022 street view seen at right and a satellite view. Huelse has a historic postcard view of the 1897 lighthouse. Located beside the B431 riverside highway on the north bank of the Elbe 1810 m (1.1 mi) west of the rear light and about 1.5 km (1 mi) south of St. Margarethen. Site open, tower closed. Operator: WSA Elbe-Nordsee. ARLHS FED-230; DE 310300; Admiralty B1454; NGA 10574.
* St. Margarethen Oberfeuer
1983. Active; focal plane 36 m (118 ft); white light 4 s on, 4 s off, synchronized with the front light. 37 m (121 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted with red and white horizontal bands. Werning has a good photo, Trabas has a closeup photo, Simon Köritz has a 2018 photo, and Google has a photo and a satellite view. This is the rear light of a downstream (westbound) range; the front light is carried on the Scheelenkuhlen Unterfeuer. Located 1075 m (0.6 mi) northwest of the front light and about 1 km (0.6 mi) west of St. Margarethen. Site open, tower closed. Operator: WSA Elbe-Nordsee. ARLHS FED-347; DE 310299; Admiralty B1453.9; NGA 10574.1.

Scheelenkuhlen Unterfeuer, St. Margarethen, May 2022
Google Maps street view

Dithmarschen District Lighthouses

Brunsbüttel Lighthouses
Brunsbüttel, a town on the north side of the Elbe estuary, is the southwestern terminus of the Nord-Ostsee Kanal (often called the Kiel Canal). Since 1895 this 98.7 km (61.3 mi) canal has provided a shortcut from the North Sea to the Baltic Sea via Kiel. The canal has a depth of 9.5 m (31 ft) and is the most used canal in the world. In 2014 the entrance from the Elbe was shifted slightly west by the construction of new and larger entrance locks, but the older locks also remain in service. A special WSA, WSA Nord-Ostsee Kanal, operates the canal.

*
Brunsbüttel Oberfeuer (2)
1975 (station established 1913). Active; focal plane 46 m (151 ft); white light 1.5 s on, 1.5 s off, synchronized with the front light. 49 m (160 ft) round cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery forming a funnel-shaped topmark, painted with red and white horizontal bands. Werning has a good photo, Trabas has a closeup by Capt. Peter, Larry Myhre has a 2008 photo, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. Huelse has a postcard view of the original lighthouse, which was a hexagonal skeletal tower of the Grünendeich class (see the Cuxhaven and Stade page). This is the rear light of the range guiding ships to the canal entrance. Located off the Fährstraße in a residential area 1.6 km (1 mi) northeast of the canal entrance. Site open, tower closed. Operator: WSA Elbe-Nordsee. ARLHS FED-052; DE 310001; Admiralty B1416.1; NGA 10532.
* Brunsbüttel Mole 1
1895. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); continuous light, white or green depending on direction. 11 m (36 ft) octagonal cast iron tower with lantern and upper and lower galleries, mounted on an octagonal stone base. Upper 2/3 (above the lower gallery) painted white with a large black numeral "1", lower 1/3 painted black. A 2024 photo is at right, Werning has a view from the land side, Trabas has a closeup by Capt. Peter, Larry Myhre has a 2008 photo, Nils Junge has a closeup, Knut Böttcher has a street view, and Google has a satellite view. In 1993 the head of the mole collapsed; the lighthouse had to be removed. It was reassembled and reinstalled in 1995. There are plans to repaint it green. (Thanks to Manfred Schmidt for reporting on the status of these mole lights as of May 2019.) Located on the south mole at the original canal entrance. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Operator: WSA Nord-Ostsee Kanal. DE 310110; ARLHS FED-054; Admiralty B1444; NGA 10569.
Brunsbüttel Unterfeuer (Schleuseninsel)
1975. Active; focal plane 24 m (79 ft); white light 1.5 s on, 1.5 s off, synchronized with the rear light. 23 m (76 ft) round cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery forming a funnel-shaped topmark, painted with red and white horizontal bands. Werning has a good photo, Trabas has a fine photo by Capt. Peter, Larry Myhre has a 2008 photo, Michael Blaszak has a 2022 street view from Mole 1, and Google has a satellite view. The lighthouse was under restoration in Knut Böttcher's October 2014 street view. Located on the Schleuseninsel, the island between the old and new locks. Site and tower closed. Operator: WSA Elbe-Nordsee. ARLHS FED-053; DE 310000; Admiralty B1416; NGA 10528.
 

Mole 1 Light, Brunsbüttel, June 2024
Google Maps photo by Pixel Mike
Brunsbüttel Mole 2 (2)
2013 (station established 1895). Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); continuous red light; the lighthouse is also floodlit at night. 13 m (43 ft) round cylindrical tower with lantern and upper and lower galleries. Lighthouse painted red with a large white numeral "2"; lantern dome painted white. Trabas has a photo by Capt. Peter, Hans-Jürgen Hapke has a 2023 photo, and Google has a satellite view. The mole was extended by 50 m (164 ft) in 2012-13 and the new lighthouse was placed on the extension. Larry Myhre has a 2008 photo of the original lighthouse and Werning also has a good photo. The original tower is in storage and is scheduled for reinstallation on mole 4. The new lighthouse is to be repainted with red and green horizontal bands. Located on the north mole at the original canal entrance. Site and tower closed, but the lighthouse is easily viewed from shore. Operator: WSA Nord-Ostsee Kanal. DE 310100; ARLHS FED-055; Admiralty B1442; NGA 10568.
#Brunsbüttel Mole 3 (2)
1993 (station established 1914). Removed in 2015. This was a 14 m (46 ft) round cylindrical tower with a 2-story lantern and double gallery. Lighthouse painted white with one black horizontal band bearing a large white numeral "3"; lantern roof painted black. Werning also has a photo and Larry Myhre has a 2008 photo. The original lighthouse was destroyed whena ship colllided with the mole in 1992 and its 1993 replacement was similarly destroyed by collision with the auto transporter Asian Breeze in 2015. Mole 3 has since been removed to provide for construction of a larger lock; it will not be replaced. Trabas has a photo of a temporary light near the original location; it has also been removed. Formerly located on the south mole at the newer canal entrance. Operator: WSA Nord-Ostsee Kanal. ARLHS FED-056; ex-DE 310090; ex-Admiralty B1436; NGA 10564.
* Brunsbüttel Mole 4 (2)
1977 (station established 1913). Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); two continuous red lights, one above the other. 13 m (43 ft) round cylindrical fiberglass tower with 2-story lantern and double gallery, painted with red and white horizontal bands. Wolfgang Woischnig has the 2022 photo at right, Larry Myhre has a 2008 photo, Werning also has a good photo, Trabas has another closeup, Tommy Müller has a 2019 photo, Wikimedia has Joachim Müllerchen's 2006 panoramic view of mole lights 2, 3, and 4, Uli König has a street view, and Google has a satellite view. there is (or was) a plan to reconstruct Mole 4 and install the historic Mole 2 lighthouse, but as of 2025 this does not appear to have happened. Located on the north mole at the newer canal entrance. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Operator: WSA Nord-Ostsee Kanal. ARLHS FED-057; DE 310080; Admiralty B1438; NGA 10552.

Mole 4 Light, Brunsbüttel, August 2022
Google Maps photo by Wolfgang Woischnig

Büsum Lighthouses
Büsum is a fishing port and resort town about 5 km (3 mi) north of the mouth of the Elbe.

*
Büsum Ostmole (Südmole) (2)
1986 (station established 1929). Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); green light, occulting three times every 12 s. 9 m (30 ft) round cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery, painted green. Trabas has a closeup photo by Manfred Schüler, Werning has a photo, Günther Preuschoff has a 2019 photo, and Google has a satellite view and a street view from the west mole. The lantern of the original lighthouse is on display on the town waterfront (see below). Located on the end of the east mole of Büsum harbor. Accessible by walking the mole. Site open, tower closed. Operator: WSA Elbe-Nordsee. ARLHS FED-060; DE 307740; Admiralty B1610; NGA 10592.
* Büsum Westmole (Nordmole) (2)
1986 (station established 1929). Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); red light, occulting three times every 12 s. 9 m (30 ft) round cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery, painted red. A 2021 photo is at right, Werning has an excellent closeup photo, Trabas also has a closeup, Dennis Schütt has a street view, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the end of the west mole of Büsum harbor. Accessible by walking the mole. Site open, tower closed. Operator:WSA Elbe-Nordsee. ARLHS FED-061; DE 307750; Admiralty B1609; NGA 10584.
* Büsum (2)
1913 (station established 1878). Active; focal plane 22 m (72 ft); white, red, or green light, depending on direction, 3 s on, 3 s off. 22 m (72 ft) round cast iron tower with lantern and double gallery. Lower half of tower painted white, upper half red, lantern black. Clemens Kurek's 2023 photo is at the top of this page, Werning has a lovely photo, Trabas has a closeup, Wikimedia has several photos, Rainer Huesmann has a 2021 photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, Jörg Spieler has a street view, and Google has a satellite view. The light guides ships toward Büsum in two channels, one from the west and one from the south. The present red and white pattern was applied in 1952; previously the lighthouse was painted black. The 100th anniversary of the lighthouse was celebrated in 2013. In 2007 a replica of the original light, a kerosene lantern hanging from a wood post, was installed near the Musuem am Meer; Hartmann has a photo (bottom of the page) is available. Located onshore near the foot of the west mole. Site open, tower closed. Operator:WSA Elbe-Nordsee. . ARLHS FED-271; DE 307700; Admiralty B1606; NGA 10580.
* [Büsum Ostmole (Südmole) (1) (lantern)]
1929. Inactive. 4 m (13 ft) round cast iron lantern mounted on a round stone foundation. Lantern painted white with a green band around the window. Jörg Spieler has a street view and Google has a satellite view. Located on a plaza at the west end of the Fischerkai in Büsum. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Museum am Meer.

Westmole Light, Büsum, October 2021
Google Maps photo by Kullerauge

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

Adjoining pages: North: North Frisia | Southeast: Hamburg Area | South: Cuxhaven and Stade

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Posted March 30, 2005. Checked and revised April 5, 2025. Lighthouses: 33. Site copyright 2025 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.