Roter Sand Lighthouse

Roter Sand Lighthouse
LocationOffshore, mouth of the Weser River
German Bight
Coordinates53°51′18″N 8°04′45″E / 53.855°N 8.079167°E / 53.855; 8.079167
Tower
Constructed1885
Foundationsteel caisson basement
Constructioncast iron
Height28 metres (92 ft)
Shapetapered cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern
Markingstower with horizontal white and red bands, black basement, lantern and roof
OperatorFörderverein Leuchtturm Roter Sand
Heritagekulturdenkmal 
Light
Deactivated1986
Focal height24 metres (79 ft)

Roter Sand is a lighthouse in the North Sea, in the Weser estuary. It entered service in 1885. The light was deactivated in 1986 but the tower still serves as a day beacon. Roter Sand Lighthouse was the first building ever to be erected directly on the sea floor.

It became a symbol of technical progress in the German Empire and is still one of the most famous lighthouses in Germany. On 31 October 2010, it was awarded the title of Historical Landmark of Civil Engineering in Germany.