Yeşilköy Feneri

40°57′30″N 28°50′21″E / 40.95833°N 28.83917°E / 40.95833; 28.83917TowerConstructed1856^[1]Constructionstone towerHeight16 m (52 ft)^[3]Shapeoctagonal prism prism tower centered on the keeper's house^[3]Markingswhite tower^[6]Fog signalblast every 30s.^[4][5]LightFirst lit1857^[2]Focal height23 m (75 ft)^[3]Lens500mm catadioptric cylindrical lens^[3]Intensity500 W^[3]Range15 nmi (28 km)^[3][4][5]CharacteristicFl W 10s.^[1][5]

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.^{[6] [7]}

History

Built in 1856, it was initially called Ayostefanos Feneri (Hagios Stefanos Lighthouse) after the suburb's former name.^[3][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.^[3]

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).^[3] The structure is painted entirely white.^[6] 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.^[2] 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.^[3][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.^[3] 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]

See also

• List of lighthouses in Turkey
• Anadolu Feneri
• Rumeli Feneri
• Maiden's Tower

References

External links

• Directorate General of Coastal Safety