Rubjerg Knude Fyr: The Moving Lighthouse

Rubjerg Knude Fyr is a lighthouse located on the North Sea coast in Rubjerg, northern Denmark. Constructed in 1899 and first lit on December 27, 1900, the lighthouse stands 23 meters tall atop Lønstrup Klint, approximately 60 meters above sea level.

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Over the years, shifting sands and coastal erosion became significant challenges for the lighthouse. Despite efforts to combat these issues, the lighthouse was decommissioned on August 1, 1968, as encroaching sand dunes obstructed its light. Subsequent attempts to use the surrounding buildings as a museum and coffee shop were also abandoned by 2002 due to the relentless movement of the sand.

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By 2019, erosion had brought the coastline perilously close to the lighthouse, threatening its collapse into the sea. To preserve this historic structure, a relocation project commenced on August 14, 2019. On October 22, 2019, the lighthouse was successfully moved approximately 70 meters inland, a feat accomplished by placing the 720-tonne structure on specially built rails. This relocation is expected to protect the lighthouse until around 2060.

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Today, Rubjerg Knude Fyr remains a popular tourist attraction, offering visitors panoramic views of the North Sea and the surrounding landscape. Its history and the dramatic natural forces at play continue to captivate those who visit this iconic Danish landmark.

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