De Vuurtoren

Schiermonnikoog is unusual among the Dutch Wadden Islands because it has two lighthouses standing about a kilometre apart, and both are national monuments. The northern one, the Noordertoren, is a red tower built in 1853 and 1854 that still works as an active lighthouse, and the southern one, the Zuidertoren, is white and no longer shines. Together they form a pair that visitors recognise from across the dunes, and they have become symbols of the island.

The reason for two lights is historical. In the middle of the nineteenth century, ships navigating the approaches to the Wadden Sea and the mouth of the Ems needed clear markers, and a pair of lights allowed sailors to take a bearing, so that two fixed lights in line indicated a safe course. The Noordertoren was the main light, and the Zuidertoren was originally built to give a second fixed light. In later years, the system changed, and the Noordertoren was fitted with a rotating light in 1910, which it still has. The tower is about thirty-seven metres high, and its light can be seen far out to sea, with a range of nearly thirty nautical miles. It operates around the clock under the care of the authorities.

The Zuidertoren had a second life. After it stopped working as a navigation light, it was used as a water tower from 1950 until 1992, which is a curious change of role for a lighthouse and explains the building's solid form. Since 2018, a local foundation has taken over its care, and it has been restored as part of the island's heritage. The white paint and plain form make a pleasing contrast with the red tower.

Neither lighthouse is open to the public, so visitors enjoy them from the outside. They can be reached by bicycle or on foot along paths through the dunes and the island's woodland, and they make good destinations for a walk or ride. The surroundings are quiet, with the sound of wind in the grass and the gulls overhead. In the evening, the beam of the Noordertoren sweeps across the dunes, which is a memorable sight.

The lighthouses suit photographers, walkers and cyclists. Combine a visit with a ride on the island's cycle paths, a walk across the dunes and a visit to the beach, and bring a windproof jacket. The village offers cafes and shops, and information about tide times and guided walks.