The Neuer Leuchtturm on Borkum is one of those landmarks that rewards a little effort with a genuinely memorable view. Built in 1879 after a fire had severely damaged the island’s old lighthouse, it was completed in only about six months to restore a vital navigational aid for shipping approaching the Ems estuary. Its robust brick tower has remained in service ever since, guiding vessels around the East Frisian coast and marking one of the most important approaches on the North Sea.
At 60.3 metres high, it ranks among the tallest traditional lighthouses in the world – commonly cited as the twenty-fourth tallest – and is also regarded as one of the world’s tallest brick lighthouses. That scale is immediately apparent when you stand beneath it: the tower is a commanding presence on Borkum’s western side, where it also holds the distinction of being Germany’s westernmost lighthouse.
Climbing it is part of the experience. Exactly 308 steps lead to the viewing platform, with a further seven steps taking you into the lantern room. The ascent is steady rather than rushed, but the panorama at the top makes every landing worthwhile: Borkum’s town and dunes, the Wadden Sea, the open North Sea and, on clear days, even parts of the Dutch mainland.
Neuer Leuchtturm
Borkum
Germany
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