Iron Cape - Texel

The IJzeren Kaap, also known as Kaap Oosterend, is a cast-iron beacon designed in 1854 by Quirinus Harder, then employed by the Pilotage. He designed it as a fireless day beacon to help ships navigate the eastern Texel Current during the day. Together with the church tower in Oosterend, the cape formed an important beacon line at the time. A small harbour for oyster fishermen was located nearby, but due to changes in the fairway and increasing night-time shipping traffic, the cape was relocated in 1977.

Today, the IJzeren Kaap stands on the dike near Oosterend as a national monument and striking landmark, both from land and sea. Bird-watching is also popular here: cormorants and eider ducks can be seen all year round, and in late summer grebes and crested divers regularly turn up. The lower storey of the structure has disappeared under the embankment, leaving three more storeys visible. In 2010, the cape was restored and is still in good condition.