Alter Leuchtturm Pagensand-Süd

Can you imagine a lighthouse, not by the sea, but nestled within a bustling city? This is the story of Alter Leuchtturm Pagensand-Süd. Originally, Alter Leuchtturm Pagensand-Süd stood proudly on the southern tip of Pagensand Island in the Elbe River. Built in 1934, its red frame stood atop a basalt-clad hexagonal concrete pyramid. It wasn’t a tall lighthouse, just 12 meters high, but its light, flashing a specific pattern, was visible for almost 11 nautical miles, guiding ships through the Elbe’s tricky currents. Alter Leuchtturm Pagensand-Süd began its life as a gas-powered light, later converting to electricity. It silently witnessed history, its light extinguished during World War II, only to be rekindled in 1950. Over the years, its appearance changed. It started as a black tower with red stripes, then transformed into a red tower with black rings before finally settling on its iconic solid red. For over 80 years, Alter Leuchtturm Pagensand-Süd dutifully served the ships navigating the Elbe. But time marches on, and technology advances. In 2015, the decision was made to replace the old lighthouse with a modern, automated beacon. Instead of being dismantled, Alter Leuchtturm Pagensand-Süd was granted a new lease on life. The Museumshafen Oevelgönne, Hamburg’s museum harbor, recognized its historical significance. On April 13, 2015, the museum’s floating crane, Karl Friedrich Steen, gently lifted the lighthouse from its island base. After careful restoration at the Blohm + Voss shipyard, Alter Leuchtturm Pagensand-Süd found its new home in the museum harbor. On November 21, 2015, it was placed on a new pedestal, no longer a working lighthouse but a cherished monument. Now, visitors to the Museumshafen Oevelgönne can stand before Alter Leuchtturm Pagensand-Süd and imagine it standing watch over the Elbe, a steadfast beacon through changing times.