Kugelbake

The landmark of Cuxhaven - the Kugelbake

The Kugelbake, the landmark of the city of Cuxhaven, used to serve as an orientation aid for sailors. In the Middle Ages, the word "beacon" was the designation for sea marks. And indeed, the 29-meter-high, wooden Kugelbake was a geographically important point for seafaring, because it showed where the Elbe ends and the North Sea begins. For orientation purposes, a fire burned in the Kugelbake at night.
Today, the Kugelbake has lost its actual significance, as modern radar piloting has taken over its task. Nevertheless, the Kugelbake is still a popular destination for excursions, because it marks the northernmost point of Lower Saxony and is a protected monument.