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İstanbul Province: Southwest İstanbul Lighthouses Lighthouse

Fl White 6s🇹🇷Istanbul, TROperational

Location & Light Range

About İstanbul Province: Southwest İstanbul Lighthouses Lighthouse

This cylindrical stone tower, standing 26 meters tall, was built in 1857 on Ahırkapı Burnu. It features a white finish with a single narrow black horizontal band and is topped with a lantern and gallery. The lighthouse is attached to a one-story stone keeper's house. Its light emits a white flash every 6 seconds, visible for over 16 nautical miles. The site is open to the public, though the tower itself remains closed. This light station's history traces back to 1755, when Sultan Osman III ordered its construction following a shipwreck rescue.

Why it matters: The lighthouse marks the Ahırkapı Burnu, guiding vessels at the entrance to the Bosporus from the Sea of Marmara, a historically significant and busy waterway.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 6s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
6s
Raw Code
Fl W 6s
Focal Height
36m
Geographic Range
16.4NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1857

Significant events: Sultan Osman III ordered a lighthouse built here in 1755 after witnessing the rescue of seamen from a wrecked galleon

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
26m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white with one narrow black horizontal band
Material
stone

Structure: round stone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story stone keeper's house

Location

City
Istanbul
Country
🇹🇷Turkey
Region
Istanbul
Sea Region
west side of the entrance to the Bosporus from the Sea of Marmara, on the land side of the waterfront boulevard, the Kennedy Caddesi, on Ahırkapı Burnu
Latitude
41.0060°
Longitude
28.9854°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Istanbul(1.0 km)
Admiralty No.
N4903
ARLHS No.
TUR-056
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify İstanbul Province: Southwest İstanbul Lighthouses Lighthouse at night?+
İstanbul Province: Southwest İstanbul Lighthouses displays the characteristic Fl White 6s. Each lighthouse has a unique flash pattern published in the List of Lights, allowing mariners to positively identify it and distinguish it from other navigation aids in the area. The white color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does İstanbul Province: Southwest İstanbul Lighthouses Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
İstanbul Province: Southwest İstanbul Lighthouses Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Haydarpasa at 1.4 NM to the E. Other ports served include Karaköy/Istambul (1.6 NM N), Mardas (1.7 NM WNW), Hasköy (1.8 NM NNW), Kabatas (1.8 NM NNE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is İstanbul Province: Southwest İstanbul Lighthouses Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, İstanbul Province: Southwest İstanbul Lighthouses Lighthouse is currently operational. It is actively maintained and continues to emit its characteristic light signal for marine navigation. Most modern lighthouses are automated and monitored remotely by the national maritime authority.
What shipping routes pass near İstanbul Province: Southwest İstanbul Lighthouses Lighthouse?+
İstanbul Province: Southwest İstanbul Lighthouses Lighthouse is located within the Mediterranean East-West corridor — a major trade route spanning the Mediterranean from Gibraltar to the Suez Canal. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near İstanbul Province: Southwest İstanbul Lighthouses Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near İstanbul Province: Southwest İstanbul Lighthouses Lighthouse in real time using MarineRadar. The platform shows live AIS positions of ships in the area, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page to open the live map centered on this lighthouse.