Yeşilköy Feneri is a historical lighthouse still in use located on the northern coast of Sea of Marmara at Yeşilyurt neighborhood (once part of Yeşilköy) in Istanbul's Bakırköy district, Turkey.[3] [7]
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Location | Yeşilköy Istanbul Turkey |
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Coordinates | 40°57′30″N 28°50′21″E |
Tower | |
Constructed | 1856[1] |
Construction | stone tower |
Height | 16 m (52 ft)[2] |
Shape | octagonal prism prism tower centered on the keeper's house[2] |
Markings | white tower[3] |
Fog signal | blast every 30s.[4][5] |
Light | |
First lit | 1857[6] |
Focal height | 23 m (75 ft)[2] |
Lens | 500mm catadioptric cylindrical lens[2] |
Intensity | 500 W[2] |
Range | 15 nmi (28 km)[2][4][5] |
Characteristic | Fl W 10s.[1][5] |
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Built in 1856, it was initially called Ayostefanos Feneri (Hagios Stefanos Lighthouse) after the suburb's former name.[2][5]
The lighthouse was commissioned by the Ottoman sultan Abdülmecid I (reigned 1839–1861) in order to provide safe navigation around the shallow waters before the Yeşilköy Point for ships plying the northwestern coast of the Sea of Marmara towards Istanbul.[5] It is situated roughly 14 km (8.7 mi) to the southwest of the southern entrance to the Bosporus.[2]
It was built by French engineers in 1856 in the form of a masonry octagonal prism with two stages. Since the ground at the location is not elevated enough from the sea level, the 16 m (52 ft) tower was constructed on a platform, enabling a focal height of 23 m (75 ft).[2] The structure is painted entirely white.[3] A two-story outbuilding is annexed, that was used as the keeper's living quarters and for administrative purposes. A gallery encircles the tower's lantern room. Atop the tower's cupola, a flag post is erected.[4]
Yeşilköy Lighthouse went in service on January 5, 1857.[6] Initially, it was lit by kerosene, but was later replaced by a Dalén light using carbide (acetylene gas). Nowadays, the light runs on electricity. The lighthouse's lantern has a 500mm catadioptric cylindrical lens and a 500 W light source that flashes every 10 seconds in group. Its white light is visible at a range of 15 nmi (28 km). In foggy conditions, a foghorn sounds every 30 seconds to warn of the hazardous area.[2][4][5]
The lighthouse is listed in Turkey under the code "TUR 055" and its radio call sign is TC1YLH.[8] It is maintained by the Coastal Safety Authority (Turkish: Kıyı Emniyeti Genel Müdürlüğü) of the Ministry of Transport and Communication.[2] The lighthouse underwent restoration in the years 1945, 1971 and 1988.[5]
The outbuilding of the lighthouse was converted into a fish and seafood restaurant, which can host 100 guests in the main hall and 40 people in the conservatory. Furthermore, 150 customers can dine on an open-air terrace in the summer months.[9]
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Black Sea |
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Bosporus |
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Sea of Marmara |
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Dardanelles |
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Aegean Sea |
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Mediterranean Sea |
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