Hellevoetsluis Lighthouse
The Hellevoetsluis Lighthouse is a lighthouse in Hellevoetsluis, the Netherlands. It is listed as a Rijksmonument since 1982, number 21422. Although the tower is no longer in use as a beacon, the light has not been officially extinguished and the lighthouse is still one of about thirty active light houses in the Netherlands. History 19th century Until the 19th century, the port of Hellevoetsluis remained an important naval port. Before the lighthouse was built, ships entering the port were warned by a lantern. In 1792 they already found this insufficient, but it was not until 1818 that it was decided to place an 'inner fire' as a beacon at the head of the harbour. This too was no longer sufficient and in 1821, it was decided that a lighthouse could be built. 5,800 Dutch guilders was made available. The next year, on February 23, 1822, contracts were signed and the lighthouse was completed that same year for a sum of only 4,849 Dutch guilders. The design came from Jan Valk and it was built by contractor Klaas van Golvedingen. The original tower was built with bricks and then plastered and painted white. In 1899, a black belt was added directly