Inselmuseum alter Leuchtturm
Island museum in the Old Lighthouse on Wangerooge on island towers, navigation marks, beach life, and island history, with a viewing platform.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Old Lighthouse in the eastern village of Wangerooge was built in 1856 after the severe New Year’s Eve flood of 1854/55. When it was outdated for shipping, a committed islander saved it from demolition; the municipality bought it for one mark, and a local history museum was set up in the tower, which is also used as a wedding venue.
Until the end of 2019, the museum displayed in cases and frames what islanders, guests, and former Wangerooge residents had donated over decades. From 2020, the tower stayed closed for necessary restoration and a new fire safety concept; the objects were stored temporarily and, with support from the Schlossmuseum Jever, inventoried. After construction work and a new concept, the museum reopened at Pentecost 2024.
The permanent exhibition is devoted to the history of the island towers and navigation marks, which at the same time tell the story of the island’s changing development. Other themes include beach life, the island’s role as a military base, and the people who lived there. The collection also includes the holdings of island chronicler Hans-Jürgen Jürgens, with objects, sources, pictures, and postcards.
Highlights
- History of the island towers and navigation marks of Wangerooge
- Themes of beach life and the military base
- Collection of island chronicler Hans-Jürgen Jürgens
- Climb up the tower to the viewing platform
Permanent exhibitions
- Inseltürme und Seezeichen – Using the towers and navigation marks, the exhibition tells the island’s history, which has been reshaped again and again by wind and waves.
- Badeleben und Inselleben – Themes include the development into a North Sea resort, the island’s role as a military base, and the lives of islanders, guests, and researchers.
- Sammlung Hans-Jürgen Jürgens – Objects, sources, pictures, and postcards that the island chronicler gathered over decades.
- Operated by
- Bürgerverein Wangerooge e.V.
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €3 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | €1.50 |
| Groups | –School classes pay €1 per child. |
| Families | €9.502 adults with up to 3 children |
| Adults with tower climb | €5 |
| School class (per child) | €1 |
The prices without the tower climb apply to the museum visit.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Wangerooge is car-free; the ferry departs from Harlesiel (about 50 minutes), and from the landing stage the island railway continues into the village.
Navigation address (village): Zedeliusstraße 3, 26486 Wangerooge.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | School classes are best registered by email (leuchtturm@wangerooge.de). Climbing the tower to the viewing platform is possible. |
