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Varna East Breakwater Lighthouse

Fl White 10s🇧🇬Varna, BGOperational

Location & Light Range

About Varna East Breakwater Lighthouse

Also known as: Varna East Breakwater (Sveti Nikolaos, St. Nicholas)

The Varna East Breakwater Lighthouse is a cylindrical stone tower built in 1986, standing 8 meters tall. Its lantern and gallery are mounted on a square stone base. The light characteristic is a white flash every 10 seconds, with a focal height of 17 meters, visible for 12.4 nautical miles. The original station was established in 1903, and the earlier lighthouse has since been moved to a museum. During the Communist era, an image of St. Nicholas on the base was temporarily replaced by one of Georgi Dimitrov. The lighthouse is situated at the end of Varna harbor's main breakwater.

Why it matters: This lighthouse serves as a critical navigational reference for vessels entering and exiting Varna harbor, highlighting significant political changes through the imagery on its base.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 10s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
10s
Raw Code
Fl W 10s
Focal Height
17m
Geographic Range
12.4NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1986
First Lit
1903

Significant events: Image of St. Nicholas replaced by Georgi Dimitrov during Communist era, original lighthouse moved to museum

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Varna(0.8 km)
Admiralty No.
N5004
NGA No.
17628
ARLHS No.
BUL-025

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
8m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white
Material
stone

Structure: round cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on a square stone base

Location

City
Varna
Country
🇧🇬Bulgaria
Region
Varna
Sea Region
End of the main breakwater of Varna harbor
Latitude
43.1873°
Longitude
27.9218°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Varna East Breakwater Lighthouse at night?+
Varna East Breakwater displays the characteristic Fl White 10s. 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 Varna East Breakwater Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Varna East Breakwater Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Varna at 0.6 NM to the NW. Other ports served include Ignatievo (7.8 NM WNW), Varna-Zapad (11.9 NM W), Balchik (16.6 NM NE), KAVARNA (23.2 NM NE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Varna East Breakwater Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Varna East Breakwater 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 Varna East Breakwater Lighthouse?+
Varna East Breakwater 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 Varna East Breakwater Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Varna East Breakwater 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.