Ahırkapı Feneri, Maritime lighthouse in Fatih district, Turkey.
Ahırkapı Feneri is a maritime lighthouse in the Fatih district, standing 28 meters high above the Marmara Sea at the southern entrance of the Bosporus strait. The cylindrical white tower with a black horizontal band emits light signals to guide passing vessels.
Construction was ordered in 1755 after a merchant vessel ran aground near Kumkapi during bad weather, revealing the need for better navigation aids in these waters. The tower has guided shipping traffic through this critical waterway ever since.
The lighthouse serves as a key reference point for vessels navigating the narrow strait between Europe and Asia. It plays a role in the maritime safety system that helps sailors manage the waters around Istanbul.
The lighthouse is visible from the shoreline and offers views of the major shipping routes through the Bosporus. Visitors should note that the area is part of an active port zone where access to certain areas may be restricted.
The tower was among the earliest navigation aids specifically designed for the heavily trafficked Bosporus strait and continues operating today. Its long service history demonstrates how maritime safety infrastructure adapts and endures through changing times.
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