The Complex Cultural Heritage of Lighthouses – on the Example of the Objects Rozewie I and Rozewie II

Cape Rozewie plays an important navigational role in the southern part of the Baltic Sea. The area, located on a cliff more than 50 m above sea level and at one time considered the northernmost point of the Polish coast [Pietkiewicz, Komorowski, Szulczewski 2020, p. 178], is an area of increased risk for navigation. As early as the Middle Ages, bonfires were lit on its slopes as early forms of traffic lights [5].

The exact date of the construction of the old lighthouse tower on Rozewie is not known [2], however, on the basis of preserved historical maps, it can be concluded that the lighthouse was in operation from the 17th century. There is a hypothesis that the foundations of the present lighthouse may come from the original construction, which is confirmed by an uncovered stone with the engraved date “1731”.

Concepts for a new lighthouse were developed in 1806, one design of which was approved for construction. The construction process was delayed by military action and other difficulties and lasted until the 1820s.The official period of construction was considered to be 1821-1822. It was noted early on in the operation that the trees on the cape were an obstacle to light emission. However, it was decided to leave the trees and send hazard warnings to ships, recommending that a greater distance from the shore be maintained. An additional difficulty in accurately warning vessels at sea was the fact that sequential lights were not possible at that time in history [1].

Between 1873 and 1875 a new structure (Rixhört 2) was erected approximately 190 m west of the existing Rozewie I lighthouse, equipped with an identical optical system to the neighbouring tower. The construction of the second navigation point was aimed at eliminating problems with the identification of the light emitted by the existing lighthouse (distinguishing the cape from the nearby lighthouses in Czołpino and Hel) [4]. The two fixed white light points began operation on 1 January 1875 and operated for 35 years. The buildings belonging to the new lighthouse were the residence of the staff operating both towers. In 1904, the introduction of a flashing light system was considered, but this plan did not materialise. Six years later, the decision was taken to shut down the second lighthouse and modernise the old tower. The scope of work included: raising the tower by 5 m, using a truncated cone-shaped steel segment mounted on the existing stone base, installing an electric bulb and extending the complex with an additional engine room [1]. The photographs (Fig. 1, Fig. 2) and illustration (Fig. 3) show the changes in the form of both lighthouses over the years.

Figure 1.

Changes to the Rozewie I lighthouse. Source: collection of postcards by Apoloniusz Łysejko, contemporary photo: A. Pluszczewicz-Fornal

Figure 2.

Changes to the Rozewie II lighthouse. Source: collection of postcards by Apoloniusz Łysejko, contemporary photo: A. PluszczewiczFornal

Figure 3.

Comparison of the forms of Rozewie I and Rozewie II lighthouses. Graphics: A. Pluszczewicz-Fornal

The important strategic importance of the lighthouses is confirmed by the turbulent history, which shows that they were often the target of attacks during armed conflicts. Luckily the Rozewie facilities did not suffer serious damage [2]. Nevertheless, after World War II, renovation work on the Rozewie lighthouse quickly began and included the modernisation of the optical systems and equipment in the engine room. Operation of the lighthouse was resumed on 5 May 1945, but the activities of the staff were hampered by the presence of Soviet troops. Thanks to the intervention of the Polish authorities, the lighthouse was completely handed over to Poland in October of the same year [1].

Based on preserved photographic material and postcards from the 1970s, it can be concluded that the facade of the Rozewie I lighthouse was overgrown with climbing vegetation [2]. As a result of the growth of nearby trees and the associated gradual obscuring of the optics in the north-western sector, it was decided in 1978 to expand the lighthouse and clean the elevation. The lighthouse was raised by 8 m (in one day), while maintaining the uninterrupted operation of the navigation system at night [1]. As part of the work, the roof was dismantled and a new cylindrical structure with a diameter of 3.5 m was installed, along with a modern rotating panel, which is still functional today. The light characteristics of the lighthouse are unchanged since the inter-war period [2]. Figure 3 shows graphically presented changes introduced in the form of Rozewie I lighthouse tower over the years and a comparison of the present form of Rozewie I and Rozewie II lighthouses.

The Rozewie II lighthouse serving as a meteorological observatory and transmission station

underwent a comprehensive renovation in 2014. The modernisation included replacing the electrical installation and refurbishing the tower, allowing it to be opened to the public in May 2022. In February 2023, further refurbishment work began covering Rozewie I lighthouse and the old engine room.

The Rozewie lighthouse complex represents a wealth of architectural forms and is an example of functional architecture with a technical function. The features of the buildings reflect local cultural and constructional conditions, where functional solutions are combined with attention to detail and spatial composition. Despite successive technical modernisations, the buildings have retained their spatial integrity and high aesthetic value, visible both in the layout of the assumptions and in the elaboration of the architectural detail. They thus constitute valuable research material for the history of architecture and the analysis of formal transformations in the construction of the region.

The Rozewie I lighthouse complex includes a freestanding tower and a number of accompanying buildings of a residential and economic character. The dominating element is the lighthouse tower with a compact, cylindrical body of varied construction: the lower part is made of stone and brick, the upper part is made of steel, with an industrial and austere character, topped with a laterna with a triple gallery and a conical roof. The entrance is accentuated by a granite staircase with a decorative balustrade. Noteworthy are the varied window woodwork and architectural details such as fluted lintels, decorative balusters and muntins. The appurtenant buildings, built mainly of brick (partly rendered), have a simple body and 1-2 storeys. They feature stylistic elements such as blends, pilasters, façade paintings and a half-timbered structure. Woodwork details are also characteristic, including wooden doors with panels and windows with muntin bars. Original and stylized historical elements are preserved (e.g. porch, chimney with decoration, niches with coats of arms). The buildings show a varied state of preservation – some of the buildings bear traces of the passage of time (cracks, loss of plaster, biological overgrowth), but renovation works are planned under conservation supervision. The following photos no. depict the Rozewie I lighthouse complex with close-ups of selected details and the upper part of the lighthouse tower, as at 4-8.08.2022.

Figure 4.

Rozewie I lighthouse. Photographs: A. Pluszczewicz-Fornal

Figure 5

Rozewie II lighthouse. Photographs: A. Pluszczewicz-Fornal

The complex associated with Rozewie II lighthouse comprises a residential building integrated with a dominant octagonal tower and outbuildings (a wooden barn and a livestock building). The layout of the building is characterised by symmetry, in which the centrally located tower is inscribed in the elongated rectangular plan of the residential building, with two-storey buildings with gabled roofs on both sides, connected to a lower, single-storey part with a multipitched roof. The materials used in the construction of the building were brick, then the façade was rendered and painted a cream colour, with distinctive features such as a pale red plinth and a red trapezoidal sheet roof on the residential section. The tower uses an alternating rhythm of windows – the lower part is fitted with modern plastic windows, while the upper part retains the wooden joinery. The laterna of the tower is made of metal and topped by an onion-shaped roof with a spire. The building has numerous architectural details: decorative cornices, lisens and an elaborate metal gallery supported by consoles. The farm buildings retain a simple, oblong form with gabled roofs. The livestock building is kept consistent with the colours of the lantern, while the barn, is made of wood. The assessed technical condition indicates that the tower is in very good condition, while the livestock building is clearly distinguished by the technical condition of the facade: visible dirt, unrestored woodwork and a different colour of the plinth. Photographs show the Rozewie II lighthouse complex with a close-up view of the upper part of the lighthouse tower, photo taken 4-8.08.2022.

With advances in technology, historically lit fires on cliffsides and simple structures have gradually been replaced by increasingly sophisticated light sources. Over the years, lighthouses have used a variety of fuels such as paraffin, rapeseed oil, coal gas, oil gas, spirit, acetylene, LPG, benzene and propane. With the invention of electricity, lighthouses began to use electricity as their main power source [9]. The introduction of automatic systems has greatly increased the efficiency and range of beacons, providing greater navigational safety, even in severe weather conditions. Today’s beacons are reliable and much more efficient, and modern technology minimises the need for constant staff supervision.

The optics, power source and solution used in Rozewskie lighthouses have also undergone changes from their inception to the present day. Initially, the lighthouse (from 1822) was powered by oil and the optical device consisted of 15 Argand lamps in concave mirrors arranged in a semicircle in two rows, with 6 lamps in the upper row and 7 in the lower row [1]. Then, in September 1866, the type of power supply was changed to refined oil and the light source to a lamp containing a burner with 4 wicks. The optics at the time were a Class I Fresnel lens with a focal length of 920 mm and a diameter of 1.84. This change greatly improved the visibility of the point and increased the range of the light, thus affecting the safety of navigation. In 1875, a second light was commissioned (Rozewie II lighthouse), where a Fresnel I class apparatus was used, the light source was 5 concentric wicks, and paraffin was used for power, the consumption of which was 910 g per hour, yielding 4000 kg per year. In 1878, the Rozewie I lighthouse reported a consumption of rapeseed oil of 45 g per hour, which translated into 2020 kg of oil per year [4]. In 1911, the old optics were replaced by a multi-prism disk lens with a diameter of 1,200 mm, the source was an arc lamp and the power supply was an electric current with a light output of 4,000,000 Haffner candelas. The electric arc was replaced by an incandescent lamp in 1942, with a light output of 1,500 W/80 V in 1945. Currently, as of 2016, the optics of Rozewie I lighthouse are one double-sided panel placed on a rotating table, type PRB-21, with a width and height of 118 cm and a thickness of 29.5 cm. On each side, the panel contains 20 halogen spotlights of 200 W each, arranged 4 each in 5 columns, and is powered by 30 V electric current [2]. The range and characteristics of the light have similarly varied, as has the apparatus, from 5 Prussian miles (35 km) and a steady white light to the current 26 Mm and a flashing white light with FI characteristics, where the lighting time is 0.1 s and the interval 2.9 s, giving a cycle of 3 s. The light is positioned at 83.20m above sea level [1].

Figure 6.

Contemporary interior of the lantern of the Rozewie II lighthouse (imitation of an old optical device) and Rozewie I. Photographs: A. Pluszczewicz-Fornal

Lighthouse buildings are an important part of the architectural heritage, many are recognised as legally protected monuments, and their construction reflects a variety of architectural styles and prevailing trends, from classical to modern. Because of their navigational function, the visual characteristics of lighthouses must remain constant and their appearance is precisely defined alongside their light characteristics [10]. The cultural heritage associated with lighthouses also includes equipment, objects, documents and memorabilia related to the operation of lighthouses, maritime traditions and the former life of lighthouse keepers. In the photographs presented below (Fig. 7) you can see former navigation equipment exhibited in the Rozewie I lighthouse tower and in the former engine room of the Rozewie I lighthouse.

Figure 7.

Exhibition of old navigation devices in the Rozewie I lighthouse complex. Photographs: A. Pluszczewicz-Fornal

The registration of the Rozewie I and Rozewie II lighthouse complex of buildings in the register of immovable monuments of Pomorskie voivodeship took place on 4 January 1972. Conservation protection covers, apart from the buildings of the lighthouse complex (lighthouse, engine room, signal room, lighthouse keeper's apartment building, lighthouse keepers' apartment building, a former barn, an outbuilding, a smokehouse with a bread oven, the Żeromski monument, the monument to Poland's union with the sea) also the adjacent green areas. In the most recent card of the immovable monument registration No. A-574, entry of 13.11.2014, the condition of the buildings of the complex was assessed as very good and good, no threats and the most urgent conservation postulates were indicated [21]. Since then, however, a number of renovation works have been carried out, maintaining the former architectural character of the complex both outside and inside the buildings, excluding residential interiors. During the restoration of the Rozewie II lighthouse, the idea of installing an external lift [22] was proposed to provide access to the top of the tower for people with limited mobility. However, the idea was put on hold due to the lack of consent from the Conservator of Monuments for fear of excessive interference with the historic fabric of the building.

The profession of lighthouse keeper, strongly associated with the operation of a lighthouse, often went beyond a mere profession to become a lifestyle. Often located in historically isolated and difficult to access areas, lighthouses acted as vital centres for the local community. An important aspect was the concern to maintain generational continuity. Among lighthouse keepers, technical knowledge, maritime skills, values, history, as well as practices and traditions were passed on

from generation to generation. A profession with great responsibility required not only technical expertise, but also adequate physical fitness [1], mental toughness and a willingness to live in isolation [4]. Due to the nature of the work, the lighthouse keeper had to be adequately prepared to function in difficult weather conditions and during night shifts. The problem was highlighted by Talbot as early as 1913: “The character of their duty, under the terrible assaults of the sea, played havoc with the constitutions and nerves of the lighthouse-keepers. They became taciturn, and inevitably fell victims to neurasthenia, owing to their long periods of isolation” [24].

The profession of lighthouse-keeper required a high level of knowledge, commitment and a high sense of responsibility. The responsibilities of a lighthouse keeper were strictly dependent on his rank (senior or junior lighthouse keeper), the historical era, the specifics of the lighthouse operation and its geographical location. In some cases, the candidate lighthouse keeper had to demonstrate previous experience of working at sea. Examples of the tasks of a lighthouse keeper included: maintaining the navigation light from dusk to dawn, maintaining and cleaning the light equipment as well as the lighthouse premises, ensuring that the staff was dressed appropriately, and inspecting the premises, stock and business affairs [11]. Additional duties assigned to the senior lighthouse keeper included, but were not limited to, supervising the duty, controlling the regularity of the watch, managing the stock, taking inventories and maintaining service records. The senior lighthouse keeper was also responsible for reporting on any malfunctions, the timing of planned work, as well as preparing detailed reports and reports on current events and service log entries. In addition, his duties included training junior staff, overseeing the technical condition of signal flags, ropes and masts, as well as maintaining the meteorological logbook. All of the lighthouse keeper's tasks had to be carried out according to strictly established procedures, including rules for observing bodies of water, signalling procedures and how to receive government representatives at the facility. The technical documentation maintained by the lighthouse keeper included detailed technical diagrams of the burners, reflectors and other elements of the lighting equipment that were necessary for the proper functioning of the lighthouse [1].

The literature on lighthouse keeping often emphasises the important role of a strong sense of belonging, identity and pride associated with service. From the moment Poland took over administration of the Rozewie lighthouse after the end of the First World War, one of the most distinguished families of lighthouse keepers, bearing the surname Wzorek, served at the facility. From 1920 to 1939 the managerial post was held by Leon Wzorek, a highly respected figure among the local community. His contributions are commemorated by a plaque placed on the site of the current lighthouse. Leon Wzorek died at the hands of the Nazi perpetrators, who executed him for his activities on behalf of the Polish state. Thereafter, a number of lighthouse keepers served in the service, among whom the Wzorek family continued to hold the post of lighthouse keeper; these were: Władysław Wzorek (1945-1975) brother of Leon Wzorek, Zbigniew Wzorek (1973-1985), son of Władysław [1]. Historical photographs of the Rozewie lighthouse staff are presented below (Fig. 8).

Figure 8.

Lighthouse keepers of Rozewie lighthouse. Source: collection of postcards by Apoloniusz Łysejko

Due to the need for lighthouse keepers and their families to be self-sufficient, there was a development of culinary skills, as evidenced by the presence of bakeries and fish smokehouses on some lighthouse sites. Lighthouse keepers were often involved in fishing, hunting, farming and gardening. Many of these facilities were inhabited by entire families of lighthouse keepers. This was also the case with the Rozewie lighthouses. When Rozewie II lighthouse was commissioned, it housed accommodation for 5 lighthouse keepers employed to operate the facility with their families. The illustration below (Fig. 9) shows a floor plan of the Rozewie II lighthouse, where the division of the space into 4 flats is noticeable. As there is no separate fifth flat for the lighthouse keeper, it should be assumed that he lived in an adapted technical space, in the attic of the building, or shared a flat with another member of staff. In accordance with their position in the lighthouse, each family was allocated a flat; in addition, they were given 16 hectares of farmland to grow potatoes. Technical and storage rooms were located in the basement. On the premises of Rozewie I lighthouse there is a bakery-smokehouse building, which once performed important economic functions (Fig. 10). Inside there is an original bread oven with a small hearth and a place to put baked goods in wicker moulds, various formerly used utensils are also exhibited. In the interior, one can notice a wooden staircase leading to the smokehouse located on the mezzanine floor, where fish was smoked using hardwood (mainly beech). Sokolowski points out the many challenges, such as limited access to food supplies, difficulties in obtaining medical assistance and limited educational opportunities for children in many lighthouses [7].

Figure 9.

Interior of the Rozewie II lighthouse with an adjacent building. Graphics: A. Pluszczewicz-Fornal

Figure 10.

Interior of the bakery with a smokehouse at the Rozewie I lighthouse and the barn and livestock building at the Rozewie II lighthouse. Photo by A. Pluszczewicz-Fornal

Nowadays, the number of lighthouse keepers on duty in Polish lighthouses is relatively small and it is no longer common for permanent staff to reside within these facilities. In view of the ongoing technological changes and increasing requirements for navigational safety, the function of a lighthouse keeper is undergoing a significant transformation. In addition to overseeing the operation of the lighthouse and ensuring the uninterrupted operation of navigation lights, lighthouse keepers often handle tourist traffic. Today's demands necessitate adaptation to advanced technological systems related to both navigation and management of maritime infrastructure. Their duties focus on monitoring and maintaining equipment, as well as ensuring the proper functioning of light, sound and radio systems. Currently, three employees perform lighthouse-keeping duties at the Rozewie I lighthouse: senior lighthouse keeper Aleksander Krężałek, his son Artur Krężałek and Zdzisław Ciechanowski [1].

The activities of lighthouse keepers continue to play an important role in the proper maintenance of lighthouses and, above all, in the preservation of the cultural heritage of coastal areas, as also confirmed by foreign literature. As Moira, Mylonopoulos, Kakaroucha (2024) state in: “Their profession is considered obsolete, or even unnecessary, but their regular presence at lighthouses seems to be a catalyst for the sustainability of buildings, the surrounding environment, land and seascapes” [18]. And also, in an article by MacDonald (2018), he analyses how contemporary lighthouse keepers are carrying out actions to preserve the structures as heritage sites: “Their actions literally stave off the disappearance of the lighthouse. “keeping” should be seen as a fruitful heuristic for recognizing, explaining, and critiquing material work as cultural-historical” [23].

Lighthouses play a key role in the seascape, being important landmarks visible from considerable distances. Due to their height, towers often form clear, contrasting dominant points of the seascape [12]. In a social context, lighthouses are also associated with travel, holiday relaxation, the sea and the beach, being icons of coastal towns, coastal communities and sailing traditions. To quote Chylinska (2015): “Until today lighthouses have been the most durable and solid element of traditional maritime shipping, fishery and tourist landscapes” [15].

Lighthouses have symbolic significance in a variety of cultural fields, from art, literature and music to popular culture. They are attributed with a variety of connotations such as hope, adventure, guidance, signposting, protection and communication, and are a symbol of maritime safety for sailors.

In contemporary research on cultural heritage, increasing attention is being paid to its role in shaping the identity of local communities and in the development of tourism. Understood not only as material traces of the past, but also as an element of the landscape, heritage takes on particular importance in the context of the tourist attractiveness of regions. As Magnani and Pistocchi (2017) note: “Heritage is central in the development of the global tourist system, being able to attract tourists interested in the memory and identity of the population who inhabits those places (…) Landscape is included in the definition of heritage not only for its historical or aesthetical value, but also for its contribution to economic development: landscape is capable of influencing the tourist attractiveness and it may be one of the pillars of the tourist development policy of a region, making of it a tourist destination” [19]. Not surprisingly, lighthouses located in picturesque coastal areas are an important element of the tourist offer, positively influencing economic development at both local and national levels [6]. Often their function is complex, also including educational and museum spaces in addition to a vantage point.

Sometimes tourism also has a negative impact on lighthouses, turning them into highly commercialised objects. Their images are commonly used on various types of seaside souvenirs, in the interior design of restaurants service establishments or hotels. Historic buildings lose their authenticity, becoming places of consumption, the architecture is overshadowed by advertisements and umbrellas, and unsightly snack and souvenir stalls appear in their areas.

In the case of the Rozewie lighthouse, a decision was made in the 1960s to open the old lighthouse to tourists. The result was the establishment of the Lighthouse Museum, which functions as the oldest and largest museum institution of its kind in Poland. The functioning open-air museum has a rich collection of exhibits related to the history of lighthouses. Tourists have the opportunity to visit the interior of the tower with permanent exhibition halls, the barn building, the former smokehouse with a bakery (Fig. 10) and the engine room. The 4 floors of the lighthouse have been adapted for exhibition purposes, where, apart from the history of lighthouses and information on marine navigation and sailing, an exhibition devoted to the Maritime Office in Gdynia, a display of miniature lighthouses of the Polish coast, great geographical discoveries and the history of the lighthouse in Rozewie is presented. On display in the tower is the original rotating panel, which was dismantled during the 1978 renovation. In addition, the complex offers a variety of attractions such as an exhibition of historical navigational equipment, monuments, a reconstruction of an old crane lighthouse and information boards. The former barn building houses an exhibition hall for temporary exhibitions, as well as a ticket office combined with a gift shop. An exhibition of historic navigational machinery and equipment is housed in the former engine house, and the preserved interior of the former bakery and smokehouse contains imitations of fire in the oven and smoked fish, as well as old tools.

The Rozewie II lighthouse was not open to tourists for many years, this changed in May 2022, when only the lighthouse tower was opened to the public, the rest of the complex being inhabited and inaccessible.

In order to encourage tourists to visit the lighthouses, entities managing tourism at the sites undertake various promotional activities, such as creating tourist trails [3], organising cultural events, festivals or selling collectible souvenirs. In Poland, there is the Lighthouse Lover’s Passport initiative, introduced by TPNMM, which allows visitors to earn badges and free admission to the sites after collecting a sufficient number of stamps. Rozewie I Lighthouse is also part of the Lighthouse Route.