Lighthouses

Lighthouses along the Belgian coast

Beacons have been guiding seamen along the coast since ancient times. The famous Pharos of Alexandria (280 BC) is considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World and the word is still used in English as a synonym for lighthouse. Modern-day navigation systems have reduced the importance of these marine navigation systems, but they are far from redundant. Lighthouses still function as landmarks and are used to check a vessel's positioning equipment. Four such monumental lighthouses mark the Belgian North Sea coast.

First brick lighthouse

The first brick lighthouse on the European continent was built in Nieuwpoort in 1284, but it did not endure the two world conflicts of the twentieth century. The lighthouse keeper who took the in 1963 and was never replaced.
The Blankenberge lighthouse is probably the best well known among the general public. it was built at the end of the promenade dike in 1954. Together with the Nieuwpoort and Oostende structures, this 32.5-metre-high lighthouse, whose beacon can be seen 20 sea miles away, was built to replace the lighthouse blown up by the Germans at the end of the Second World War. The last keeper left in 1970 and his former home has been turned into a maritime museum.

High and mighty

Lighthouse Lange Nelle (Tall Nelly) in Ostend, 65 meters in height and with a range of 27 sea miles, was built in 1949. The striking blue-white tower has a modern, imposing appearance. it is built of concrete and switched from gas to electricity in 1953. A mechanism with weights is used as a backup during power cuts. The lighthouse tower was completely restored in 1994.
Lighthouse Hoog Licht (High light) in Heist was Belgium's first all-concrete building when it was constructed in 1907. Located behind the dunes, this 30.5-m-high structure is visible from 11 sea miles distance. With the expansion of Zeebrugge harbor in 1970 the lighthouse lost its function, as the light was extinguished for good. Listed as a monument, this lighthouse was completely restored in 2003-2004.

Stamps in detail

Issue: Belgium, 15 May 2006
Printing: Rotogravure by Stamp Printing Office (Mechelen)
Engraver: Guillaume Broux
Stamp size: 27.66 mm x 40.20 mm
Perforation: 11,5

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