A 720-tonne lighthouse was moved 70 meters inland in Denmark to escape coastal erosion, highlighting the global challenge of protecting coastal landmarks.
Lighthouse relocation in Denmark
A lighthouse weighing 720 tonnes was moved along rails in Denmark in 2019 to escape coastal erosion. The Rubjerg Knude lighthouse, located on the Lønstrup Klint cliff, was relocated 70 meters inland to prevent it from falling into the North Sea.Engineering details of the move
The operation, which took place over several weeks, involved hydraulic jacks and 24 iron bars to lift the structure millimeter by millimeter before placing it on the rails. Engineers initially estimated the lighthouse to weigh 1,000 tonnes, but the actual weight of 720 tonnes simplified logistics.Project timeline and cost
The project, planned for 18 months and costing 5 million Danish crowns, was completed on October 22, 2019, after ten weeks of site preparation. The movement speed was limited to 8 meters per hour due to technical requirements and the sandy ground.Long-term impact of the relocation
The relocation is expected to secure the lighthouse until around 2060. The lighthouse, built more than a century ago, was moved to avoid falling into the North Sea, as the cliff recedes 1.5 meters per year.Coastal erosion in France
In France, the Cerema Coastal Erosion National Indicator (updated 2026) shows that 27.6% of the coastline is affected by erosion, with 50.1% of beach areas experiencing erosion. This kind of situation is not isolated, as coastal erosion is a global challenge.
