Lighthouse in Hel

The origins of the lighthouse in Hel date back to sixteenth century when the first sources of fire were noticed on the church tower at a height of 116 feet. The counstruction, however, was destroyed by the fire. In 1638 the citizens of Hel, Poland insisted that Gdańsk authorities should build a new lighthouse on the Hel Peninsula. After careful consideration of the for and against arguments a new wooden lighthouse came into project in around 1640. Its light visibility was reaching as far as 6 miles from the shore. And the fire was only lit in the period from 24 August to 3 May. In 1667 the lighthouse burnt down again.

The next attempts to build more solid constructions failed as well (fire and storm). Since sailing in this region of the Baltic Sea was risky and highly dangerous, all efforts were made to protect a lighthouse in Hel. As a result, there was a new place found for the new lighthouse in 1790 which would be a place to live for a person responsible for operating and looking after it. From that time on, the light was to be lit continuously every day. Carl Ernst Golchen was nominated to be the first lighthouse-keeper. Although the construction of the lighthouse was improved, still there was a danger that the light flowing out of it might be obscured by the growing trees. That is why the construction of the first brick lighthouse began in 1806. Due to many domestic wars the construction was interrupted several times what slowed down the process of building until 1826. Numerous households for the lighthouse-keepers and their families arose around the building as well.

pecifications

* Height: 41 metres
* Material: white, burnt brick
* Light placement: 37,6 metres
* Number of steps inside: 180
* Reach of the light: 17 miles
* The lighthouse was lit in 1827 for the first time.

However, the building was still not high enough what resulted in many ships crashing somewhere between Jastarnia and Hel. This forced the decision to place a cannon which was fired every fourth minute to provide a sound signal. It was until a man performing the operation died in 1910. There is a stone giving a notice od the event until these days.

The construction of the lighthouse was improved again. The source of light was changed into paraffin lamp and the building material was renewed. It was not until 1938 when electric light was installed. Subsequently the soruce of the light become a lightbulb of the power of 3000 watts. During World War II, however, a decision was made to get rid of the lighthouse since it was a perfect target for air raiders. The new one was built in a different place instead.

In 1942 local citizens got clear orders from the Germans to build a new lighthouse in Hel. It rose 10 metres to the southern-east from the old detonated one. This construction was finally solid and appropriate. From the very beginning electric current was used as a source of power, and the red tower itself was based on the plan of an octagon. Its height mounts up tp 40,8 metres. The source of light is a 1000 watt lightbulb situated 38,5 metres above the sea level and it reaches as far as 17 miles into the sea. There are 197 steps to be taken in order to get to the top and its interior is made available for the public during summer. Moreover the lighthouse also became a crucial air traffic controlling tool.

Apart from the lighthouse itself, there are also numerous monumental lighthuose-keepers’ households left around. They all date back to the nineteenth century. Thousands of dozens tourists are visiting Hel and its lighthouse each year. It is also called a guard of a Polish shore. There is a beautiful view on the whole Bay of Puck, Peninsula and wide-open sea from the top of it. Facing to the west, inland, one can see the Sweddish Hill with an old lighthouse built during World War Two to make up for the one destroyed in Hel at the same time.