Lighthouse in Nieuwpoort

The lighthouse, located on the right bank of the IJzer estuary, has a tumultuous history. It was built in 1881, 100 meters from the sea and 250 meters from the IJzer estuary, to replace the old Vierboete, which stood on the left bank and further inland, too far from the sea to function normally.

The new tower was 28 meters high and formed one complex with the double house for the lighthouse keeper. It was illuminated with mineral oil and emitted a steady red light.

At the end of October 1914, during the Battle of the Yser, the lighthouse was shot to pieces. Rebuilt in 1923, it was constructed of brick and equipped with an electric "lightning light".

During their retreat in September 1944, the Germans dynamited the tower. The following year, a provisional 15-meter high signal mast was placed on a dune.

The current light tower was put into service in 1949. This time it is a concrete structure painted with white and red stripes, which certainly enhances its visibility and recognizability as a beacon. It rises 27 meters above sea level, with the light source reaching 29 m. The red flashing light emits a flash of light every 14 seconds. The last lighthouse keeper served until his retirement in 1963. Thus, the lighthouse lost a bit of romance. Since then, the operation of the light tower has been regulated by electronic remote control from the pilotage office across the IJzer estuary.

Heyde Etienne