The small lighthouse stands 2.5 kilometres northwest of Pilsum on the green dyke, radiant with red and yellow curls. Thanks to comedian Otto Waalkes, it has become famous and is now considered the landmark of East Frisia.
History of the lighthouse
Only eleven metres high, the Pilsum lighthouse is the smallest lighthouse in Germany. Built in 1889, it began operating two years later and helped ship traffic find its way. As early as 1915, its beacon went out during the First World War so that it could not be used by enemy ships for orientation. In 1919 it was finally taken out of service completely, as the fairway it had been erected to illuminate had silted up and the shipping route now ran elsewhere.
By 1972, the lighthouse had fallen into disrepair and even demolition was considered. Finally, however, it was decided to preserve the lighthouse and it was restored. With this renovation, the lighthouse was painted in the typical way it is today.
The "Otto -Tower" as a film set
In the film Otto - Der Außerfriesische by comedian Otto Waalkes, the tower served as an apartment and became known as the Otto Tower. Also in the film Otto - Der Katastrofenfilm small tower, as well as in numerous other television productions (for example Tatort) to see.
The lighthouse for lovers
Today the lighthouse can be visited in the context of guided tours. The wedding room is especially popular with East Frisia fans: Here, lovers can say "I do" to each other, or their vows can be renewed for a second wedding. Also the love locks, which became popular in the last years, are not missing at the lighthouse. However, they now hang on a wall specially attached for this purpose.
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The love locks at the Pilsum lighthouse[/caption]
From the smallest lighthouse to the biggest lighthouse in Germany
If you follow the coast about eleven kilometres in the direction of Emden, you will find another lighthouse there. The 65-metre-high Campen lighthouse is built of red steel and is the tallest lighthouse in Germany. From its viewing platform, which can be reached via 320 steps, you have a beautiful view across to the Netherlands, to Borkum and to the East Frisian hinterland.
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Lighthouse Campen at the mouth of the Ems into the North Sea[/caption]