Lighthouses of Belgium

Belgium has a North Sea coast about 65 km (40 mi) long, all of it located in the Flemish-speaking province of West Vlaanderen (West Flanders). There are four ports on this coast: Nieuwpoort, Oostende, Blankenberge, and Zeebrugge, and each of the four has its own collection of lighthouses. In each case the principal light is to the east of the harbor entrance; this was done to guide ships approaching from the English Channel to the west.

In addition, Belgium has saved all three of its post-World War II lightships.

In Flemish, as in Dutch, the word for a lighthouse is vuurtoren. Aids to navigation in Belgium are owned by the Administratie Waterwegen en Zeewegen (AWZ), but some of the lighthouses listed may be operated by local harbor authorities.

ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. Admiralty numbers are from volume B of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA List numbers are from Publication 114.


Blankenberge Light, October 2005
photo copyright Marc de Kleijn; used by permission

General Sources
Online List of Lights - Belgium
Photos posted by Alexander Trabas.
Leuchttürmseiten von Anke und Jens - Belgien
Photos of ten major lighthouses, with notes in English and German.
Vuurtorens in Nederland
This excellent Dutch lighthouse site also covers the major lighthouses of Belgium.
Leuchttürme.net - Belgien
Excellent photos posted by Malte Werning.
Lighthouses in Belgium
Aerial photos of several of the lighthouses posted by Marinas.com.
Belgische Leuchttürme auf historischen Postkarten
Historic postcard images posted by Klaus Huelse.
Lightships in Belgium
The Belgian page of Iris Klempau's comprehensive site on world lightships.

North Sea Lighthouses
Westhinder
About 1992 (lightship station established 1950). Active; focal plane 23 m (75 ft); four white flashes, separated by 4 s, every 30 s. 23 m (75 ft) 4-level steel platform mounted on a cylindrical steel tower; enclosed equipment shelter between the second and third galleries. Fog horn (two short blasts and one long blast every 30 s). This modern structure replaced the Westhinder lightships (see near bottom of this page). Located on a notorious shoal just inside Belgian waters about 30 km (19 mi) northwest of Nieuwpoort and a similar distance north of Dunkerque, France. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS BEL-039; Admiralty B0145; NGA List 9000.
* Nieuwpoort West Mole
Date unknown (station established 1884). Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); continuous green light. Approx. 9 m (29 ft) cylindrical cast iron tower with lantern and gallery. Tower painted white with a black band at the base; lantern roof painted green. Active fog bell (2 strokes every 10 s) hangs on the side of the tower. Trabas has a closeup photo by Klaus Kern, Werning has a good photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the west side of the entrance to the River Ijzer; readily accessible from the Albert I Laan (boulevard) along the oceanfront. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS BEL-010; Admiralty B0076; NGA List 9012.
* Nieuwpoort East Mole
Date unknown (station established 1884). Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); continuous red light. Approx. 9 m (29 ft) cylindrical cast iron tower with lantern and gallery. Tower painted white with a black band at the base; lantern roof painted green. Trabas has a closeup photo by Klaus Potschien, Werning has a good photo, and Google has a satellite view. Huelse has a postcard view that appears to show an earlier tower. Located on the east side of the entrance to the River Ijzer; accessible by a short hike and walking the mole. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS BEL-009; Admiralty B0075; NGA List 9016.
* Nieuwpoort (4)
1949 (station established 1863). Active; focal plane 26 m (85 ft); two red flashes, separated by 2.6 s, every 14 s. 29 m (95 ft) tapered conical concrete tower with lantern and double gallery, painted with horizontal red and white bands; lantern is white. 2-story keeper's house, unoccupied and boarded up. Werner Wattenbergh's photo is at right, Trabas has a photo by Klaus Kern, Werning has a photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, Huelse has a postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. "Fire tower" lighthouses existed here as early as 1284. The 1414 tower, to which a lantern was added in 1863, survived until it was destroyed in World War I. An 1883 tower met the same fate, and the 1926 tower was destroyed in September 1944, during World War II. Huelse has historic postcard views of the 1883 tower and the 1926 tower. Located about 500 m (0.3 mi) east of the East Mole light; not accessible by road but it is possible to walk to the site. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS BEL-004; Admiralty B0074; NGA List 9008.

Nieuwpoort Light, March 2006
photo copyright Werner Wattenbergh; used by permission
* Oostende West Pier
1890. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); continuous green light. Approx. 9 m (29 ft) cylindrical 6-ribbed cast iron tower with lantern and gallery. Tower painted white with a black band at the base; lantern roof painted green. Fog bell (stroke every 4 s). Werning has a fine closeup photo, Trabas has a photo by Klaus Kern, and Huelse has a historic postcard view. Located on the west side of the entrance to Oostende harbor; accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS BEL-012; Admiralty B0094; NGA List 9022.
Oostende East Pier
1890. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); continuous green light. Approx. 9 m (29 ft) cylindrical 6-ribbed cast iron tower with lantern and gallery. Tower painted white with a black band at the base; lantern roof painted green. Fog horn (3 long blasts and one short blast -- Morse code "OE" -- every 30 s). Trabas has a closeup photo. In Werning's photo, it appears that the end of the pier is now detached. Located on the east side of the entrance to Oostende harbor. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS BEL-011; Admiralty B0096; NGA List 9024.
* Oostende (4) ("Lange Nelle")
1949 (station established 1771). Active; focal plane 65 m (213 ft); three white flashes every 10 s. 58 m (190 ft) two-stage cylindrical tower with lantern and double gallery rising from the center of a square 1-story building. Lower 1/3 of the tower is octagonal and probably concrete, upper 2/3 circular and probably brick. Lighthouse painted white with two sinusoidal blue bands around the upper section; galleries painted gold. The unusual color pattern was added in 1994. Marc de Kleijn's photo is at right, Werning has a photo, Trabas also has a good photo, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. This remarkable lighthouse, nicknamed Lange Nelle (Lanky Nellie), appears pencil-thin compared to its great height. An 1860 tower was destroyed here in World War I, and a 1925 tower was destroyed in World War II. Huelse has historic postcard views of the 1860 tower and the 1925 tower. Located about 500 m (0.3 mi) east of the East Pier light. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS BEL-002; Admiralty B0092; NGA List 9020.
* Blankenberge West Mole
Date unknown (station established 1913). Active; focal plane 14 m (45 ft); continuous green light. 8 m (26 ft) cylindrical cast iron tower with lantern and gallery. Tower painted white with a black band at the base. Trabas has a sunset photo by Klaus Kern, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. Located on the west side of the entrance to Blankenberge harbor; accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS BEL-006; Admiralty B0113.4; NGA List 9052.
* Blankenberge East Mole
Date unknown (station established 1913). Active; focal plane 12.5 m (41 ft); continuous red light. 8 m (26 ft) cylindrical cast iron tower with lantern and gallery. Tower painted white with a black band at the base. Werning has a good photo, Trabas has a good photo by Klaus Potschien, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. Located on the east side of the entrance to Blankenberge harbor; accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS BEL-005; Admiralty B0114; NGA List 9048.
*** Blankenberge (Comte Jean) (4)
1952 (station established 1817). Active; focal plane 32 m (106 ft); two white flashes every 8 s. 30 m (98 ft) cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery rising from a 2-story brick building. This modern tower has a U-shaped cross section with the curved side facing the sea; it is white, except the lantern and top floor (watch room) are painted black. A photo appears at the top of this page, Marc de Kleijn's photo is at the top of this page, Trabas has a closeup photo by Klaus Kern, Marinas.com has aerial photos, Huelse has a postcard view, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. Huelse also has a historic postcard view of an earlier lighthouse. The building at the base of the lighthouse is a maritime museum. Located at the base of the east pier, known as the Comte Jean jetty, behind the east pier light. Site open, museum and tower open Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoons. Site manager: Blankenberge Zeegenootschap. ARLHS BEL-001; Admiralty B0112; NGA List 9044.

Lange Nelle, October 2005
photo copyright Marc de Kleijn; used by permission
Zeebrugge West Breakwater (3?)
Date unknown (station established 1905). Active; focal plane 31 m (102 ft); green light, occulting once every 7 s. 30 m (98 ft) unpainted octagonal concrete tower with gallery topped by a small green lantern and a radar transmitter on a white mast. The tower also carries an array of traffic control lights. Nautophone fog signal (1 blast, a pause, and then 3 blasts, every 90 s). Trabas has a closeup photo, Werning has a more distant view, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. Located at the end of the west outer breakwater outside the entrance to Zeebrugge harbor. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS BEL-040; Admiralty B0123.2; NGA List 9073.
Zeebrugge East Breakwater (2?)
Date unknown (station established 1905). Active; focal plane 31 m (102 ft); red light, occulting once every 7 s. 30 m (98 ft) unpainted octagonal concrete tower with gallery topped by a small red lantern. The tower also carries an array of traffic control lights. Fog bell (3 strokes every 25 s). Werning has a photo, Trabas has a closeup photo,, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. Located at the end of the east outer breakwater outside the entrance to Zeebrugge harbor. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS BEL-015; Admiralty B0123; NGA List 9074.
Zeebrugge Old Mole
1905. Active; focal plane 22 m (72 ft); white or red light, depending on direction, 12 s on, 3 s off. Approx. 18 m (60 ft) unpainted concrete tower with lantern and gallery, rising from circular 1-story concrete building. Lantern painted red; lantern roof is greenish metallic. The tower also carries an array of traffic control lights. Werning has an excellent photo, Trabas has a more distant view, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. The lighthouse was repaired after being heavily damaged during a British raid on Zeebrugge in April 1918, during World War I. Huelse has a postwar postcard view showing the damage. Located at the end of the Old Mole (now called the Leopold II Dam) on the west side of Zeebrugge harbor. Site status unknown. ARLHS BEL-046; Admiralty B0122; NGA List 9076.
*** Lightship 2 (West-Hinder II)
1950. Decommissioned 1994. 37.5 m (123 ft) steel lightship; the light was displayed from a lantern atop the mainmast. Hull painted red, superstructure white, mast with red and white horizontal bands, lantern red. Tim Roosen has a 2007 photo. One of three lightships built by Beliard, Crighton & Co. of Oostende. The ship is dry-berthed as an attraction in a maritime theme park; a souvenir shop occupies part of the vessel. Located on the waterfront in Zeebrugge. Site open, theme park and ship open daily (admission fee). Owner/site manager: Seafront Zeebrugge. ARLHS BEL-003.

Zeebrugge Old Mole Light
photo copyright Malte Werning; used by permission
* [Zeebrugge Pierhead?]
Date unknown. Inactive. 3 m (10 ft) round cylindrical cast iron tower with lantern and gallery; the gallery rail in missing. Malte Werning found this little tower, abandoned and rusting, not far from the West-Hinder. It is probably one of the pierhead lights from the entrance to the Zeebrugge Kanal, known to have been in place before World War I. We need information on its history! Site open, tower closed.
* Zeebrugge (Heist) Range Front (2)
1983 (range established 1912). Active; focal plane 22 m (72 ft); white light occulting once every 5 s, synchronized wth the rear light. Approx. 20 m (66 ft) slender cylindrical tower with gallery but no lantern, painted with red and white horizontal bands. Werning has a photo, Trabas also has a photo, Located on the long mole at Heist, on the east side of Zeebrugge harbor. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS BEL-013; Admiralty B0124; NGA List 9068.
*** Zeebrugge (Heist) Range Front (1)
1912. Inactive since 1983. Approx. 9 m (30 ft) conical concrete (?) tower with circular lantern and gallery. Structure appears to be unpainted. This lighthouse is located near the current rear range light; the modern front light is 875 m (1/2 mi) northwest. Werning has a closeup photo, Trabas has a good photo of this light and the current rear light, and Huelse has a historic postcard view. Located at the foot of Konigslaan in Knokke-Heist, east of Zeebrugge. Site open, tower reported open (schedule unknown). Owner/site manager: unknown. ARLHS BEL-045.
* Zeebrugge (Heist) Range Rear (2)
1983 (range established 1912). Active; focal plane 45 m (148 ft); white light occulting once every 5 s, synchronized wth the front light. Approx. 40 m (130 ft) slender cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery, painted with red and white horizontal bands. Werning has a photo, and Trabas has a good photo of this light and the old front light. The lighthouse stands just behind the original front range light (previous entry) near the foot of Konigslaan in Knokke-Heist, east of Zeebrugge. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS BEL-014; Admiralty B0124.1; NGA List 9072.
* Zeebrugge (Heist) Range Rear (1)
1907. Inactive since 1983. Approx. 24 m (80 ft) concrete tower rising from an octagonal base and supporting a large octagonal watch room, lantern and gallery. Base and watch room faced partly with red brick. Werning has a good photo, and Huelse has a historic postcard view. This handsome and historic lighthouse was reported in poor condition as recently as 1998, but it has since been restored. Located just off Konigslaan in Knokke-Heist, about 250 m (1/4 mi) southeast of the old front light. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: unknown. ARLHS BEL-047.

1907 Heist Range Rear Light, October 2005
photo copyright Marc de Kleijn; used by permission

Lightship on the Brugge-Gent Canal
** Netherlands Lightship 3 (Mayflower)
1884. Decommissioned 1939. 34.2 m (112 ft) two-masted wooden lightship, stripped of its original fittings. A modern superstructure and faux lantern has been built on the middle of the ship. Hull painted red, superstructure white. Urbain Ureel rediscovered this vessel and researched its history. The ship's last assignment was as the Haaks from 1925 to 1930. Sold for scrap in 1939, the ship was stripped of its equipment and the hull sold to a youth organization. Incongruously renamed Hollands Glorie (the name of the organization), the ship served as a floating dormitory. Sold again in 1976, the ship was moved first to Oostende and then to Brugge, where it has served since 1978 as a floating bar and restaurant. The current owners added the faux lantern to the top of the superstructure as a reminder of the ship's history. Moored at Bargeweg 13 on the Brugge-Gent Kanal near the Minnewater park in Brugge. Site and vessel open. Owner/site manager: Mayflower Restaurant. ARLHS BEL-048.

Lightships on the Schelde
Note: Alexander Trabas has photos of aids to navigation on the Schelde estuary leading to Antwerpen, but none of them qualify as lighthouses by most definitions.
**** Lightship 3 (West-Hinder III)
1950. Decommissioned 1992. 37.5 m (123 ft) steel lightship; light was displayed from a lantern atop the mainmast. Hull painted red, superstructure white, mast with red and white horizontal bands, lantern red. Sven Cipido has a photo, and another 2008 photo is available. One of three lightships built by Beliard, Crighton & Co. of Oostende; the ships alternated in serving the two lightship stations of Wandelaar and West-Hinder. In 1960 the ship was heavily damaged when it was rammed by the Norwegian tanker Branita. In fact, it sank while being towed to Oostende for repairs, but it was successfully salvaged and returned to duty. In 1995, the lightship was donated to the city of Antwerpen for display at Belgium's national maritime museum, where it remains. In May 2003, Iris Klempau found it to be in poor condition, but there were plans to restore it. Moored at the Bonaparte Dock in downtown Antwerpen. Site open, ship open for tours daily except Mondays (admission fee). Owner/site manager: Nationaal Scheepvaartmuseum. ARLHS BEL-027.
** Lightship 1 (West-Hinder I)
1950. Decommissioned 1972. 37.5 m (123 ft) steel lightship; light was displayed from a lantern atop the mainmast. Hull painted red, superstructure white, mast with red and white horizontal bands, lantern red. Roger Van Buynder has a photo, and Bart Tordeurs has a nice photo of the ship and the town. One of three lightships built by Beliard, Crighton & Co. of Oostende. The ship was sold in 1976 and used as a floating restaurant, first in Brugge and then in Oostende. It sank at its berth in 1978, but was refloated. Sold for scrap in the late 1980s, it was saved but languished for many years. In 2002 it was towed to a proposed maritime museum in Rupelmonde, on the Scheldt above Antwerpen. Moored on the Nederstraat in Rupelmonde. Site open, ship open for tours by appointment. Owner/site manager: unknown. ARLHS BEL-026.
 

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

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Posted January 4, 2005. Checked and revised January 10, 2009. Lighthouses: 17; lightships: 4. Site copyright 2009 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.