It is located in an important navigational area, almost at the very tip of the Hel Peninsula. It is assumed that already in the 13th century there has been a port on Hel and therefore there has also been some form of lighthouse. In the 17th century there is mention of a lighthouse in various written sources. The lighthouse was destroyed by fire and rebuilt in the form of a counterpoise lift – with either a pot for tar or a basket for coal suspended at the end of the arm.

In August 1827 the light was put on in a brick lighthouse which was 41.7m high. Since 1938 there has been an electric light on Hel. In 1939 the lighthouse was blown up by the divisions of the Polish army defending the Hel Peninsula. The present day lighthouse with an octagonal red brick tower was built in 1942. It is 41.5m tall and on a clear day the Tri-city is visible.

The light source is situated 40.8m above sea level with a range of 17 nautical miles. The light system is made up of a two-position changer with 1000 watt bulbs and a cylindrical Fresnel lens. After the war due to the military use of this part of the Hel Peninsula, the lighthouse was closed to the public. Since 1994 the lighthouse has been open to tourists in the summer season.

Lighthouse in Hel (woj. Pomorskie)

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