De Vuurtoren (Ameland Lighthouse)

The lighthouse in Hollum on the island of Ameland is also listed in this guide under its other name, De Oude Toren, and the two entries describe the same tall tower. Here the emphasis is on the role of the beacon in the Wadden landscape and on the experience of visiting it, while the other entry covers its construction in more detail. Rising above the dunes of the western end of the island, the red and white tower can be seen from nearly everywhere on Ameland and from the neighbouring islands, and it is the most obvious landmark of the whole Wadden coast.

The tower was built in 1880, so the label of seventeenth century sometimes attached to it is mistaken. It is a cast-iron structure, made from sections that were fabricated in a foundry and assembled on site, and its height of around fifty-five metres makes it one of the tallest lighthouses in the country. The great height was needed to give the light a long range over the low, flat landscape and the shifting sandbanks of the Wadden Sea, where ships were often wrecked in storms. The beam guided shipping heading for the German Bight, the Ems and the Dutch ports.

Inside, a staircase of more than two hundred steps spirals up through the levels of the tower, which were used by the keepers for work and living. In the past, the lighthouse keepers had to climb the stairs regularly to tend the lamp, wind the clockwork that turned the lens and keep a watch, and the life was solitary and demanding. A modern visit gives a taste of this world, with displays on the history of the tower, stories told by former keepers and a recreated watch room.

The reward for the climb is the view from the platform. On a clear day, you can see the entire island, with its dunes, villages, beaches and the green strip of farmland, and beyond it the Wadden Sea, the neighbouring islands of Terschelling and Schiermonnikoog and the Frisian mainland. The wind at the top can be strong, so dress warmly. Opening times and tickets depend on the season, and groups may need to book.

The lighthouse is in the village of Hollum, which has a pleasant centre, a church and the beach, and the cycle paths of the island lead from there to the dunes and the sea. It suits families, photographers and anyone who enjoys a view. The climb is demanding, so those with limited mobility or heart conditions should take care. Combine it with a ride to the beach and a visit to Nes harbour.