Lindau Lighthouse

One of Germany's most picturesque and frequently photographed lighthouses is the Lindau Lighthouse. It is a historic tower on Lake Constance in Lindau with a towering pyramidal roof. The base of the lighthouse is 24 meters in diameter and is 33 meters tall. When it was finished in 1856, it replaced the Mangtrum Tower, which had been built in 1230, as the port's prior lighthouse. The 108-foot-tall building is unusual among lighthouses in that it also has a huge clock.

The clock at the Lindau Lighthouses is easily seen from the city's center, and just as its beacon guides ships safely to land, it ensures that everyone in the city is always aware of the time. For several centuries, the Mangtrum Tower served as a military structure and provided Lindau with defense. The light was produced by an open oil fire in the early years of operation. At that time, the keeper would have maintained a steady flame in large pans of fire while also operating a bell and foghorn. Later, the firing was changed to kerosene, and finally to gas.

After several years of negotiations, the port area, and thus the lighthouse, were transferred to the town of Lindau in April 2010. It is open to visitors, who may find information on local nature and on Lake Constance shipping. The Lindau Lighthouse continues to be a major tourist attraction in Germany.

Location: Germany