GeziBilen · Digital Guide
Lighthouses have an important place in maritime history. These structures were used to guide ships on dark nights and in foggy weather, and to keep them away from rocky and dangerous areas.
Especially in a city like Istanbul, where sea traffic is intense, lighthouses have had great importance throughout history. The strategic location of the Bosphorus and the sea routes around it have led to the widespread construction of lighthouses in this region.
Many lighthouses built during the Ottoman Empire are still actively used today and serve sailors. Discover important lighthouses in various parts of Istanbul with this list.
1. Fenerbahce Lighthouse
Built in 1857, Fenerbahçe Lighthouse is located on the Fenerbahçe Cape on the Anatolian Side. The lighthouse, which is 20 meters above sea level, has a range of 15 miles and was powered by kerosene lamps during its construction. During the Ottoman period, the area was known as Bağçe-i Fener and the lighthouse became the symbol of the district while guiding sailors.
2. Sile Lighthouse
Overlooking the Black Sea and symbolic of Şile, Şile Lighthouse was built in 1859 for coastal safety purposes. With a range of 60 meters and a length of 19 meters, the lighthouse is the second largest active lighthouse in the world. The octagonal lighthouse initially used gas lamps, but was replaced by an electric system in 1968.
3. Rumeli Lighthouse
Located in Sarıyer, on the shores of the Bosphorus, which opens to the Black Sea, the Rumeli Lighthouse was built in 1855 before the Crimean War. The 30-meter-high lighthouse, which was powered by gas during the Ottoman period, continues to operate with electricity today. The area also hosts a fishing village and various touristic opportunities.
4. Yesilkoy Lighthouse
Located in the Yeşilköy district of Bakırköy, Yeşilköy Lighthouse was built in 1856 and is located 23 meters above sea level. The light of the lighthouse can be seen from 10 nautical miles away. The lighthouse, which has undergone various restorations throughout its history, is still actively used today.
5. Ahırkapı Lighthouse
Serving the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara in the Fatih district, Ahırkapı Lighthouse was rebuilt in 1855 during the reign of Sultan Abdülmecid. The 26-meter-high lighthouse has the capacity to provide light up to a distance of 16 miles and plays an important role in maritime transportation.
6. Anatolian Lighthouse
The Anatolian Lighthouse is located on a peninsula close to Beykoz, at the point where the Bosphorus opens into the Black Sea. First built in 1755 as a wooden structure, the lighthouse was transformed into its current stone structure in 1834. The white stone lighthouse is 20 meters high and guides ships entering the Bosphorus. The foundation of the village began with the lighthouse keepers settling around the lighthouse, and today the area still maintains a quiet village life.
