Terschelling West

The chief place on the island is West- Terschelling, where the ferries put in. Here and in the Midsland area to the northeast (handsome gabled houses) are the commandeurshuizen (sea-captains' houses) in which the captains of the whaling fleet lived. The Brandaris lighthouse, 54m/177ft high, was built in 1595; its light is visible for up to 40km/25mi. Until the installation of an electric projector in 1920 the light was provided by a large beacon. Near the lighthouse is the cemetery, with the graves of countless seamen.