Ahırkapı Feneri, Maritime lighthouse in Fatih district, Turkey.
Description
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.
History
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.
Culture
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.
Practical
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.
Did you know?
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.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Istanbul).
Hagia Sophia
508 m
Sultan Ahmed Mosque
731 m
Topkapı Palace
589 m
Basilica Cistern
642 m
Sublime Porte
817 m
Runic inscriptions in Hagia Sophia
594 m
Hagia Irene
524 m
Obelisk of Theodosius
844 m
Istanbul Archaeology Museums
684 m
Gülhane Park
799 m
The Stone of Million
652 m
Haseki Hürrem Sultan Hamamı
806 m
German Fountain
739 m
Fountain of Ahmed III
414 m
Tiled Kiosk
727 m
Great Palace Mosaic Museum
766 m
Gate of Felicity
693 mChurch of the Virgin of the Pharos
692 m
Hodegon Monastery
302 m
Zeynep Sultan Mosque
657 m
Ahmet Hamdi Tanpınar Literature Museum Library
794 m
Procession Kiosk
832 m
Firuz Ağa Mosque
783 m
Pearl Kiosk
421 mHazine-i Evrak binası
860 m
Hagia Sophia History and Experience Museum
846 m
Library of Ahmet III
762 m
Topkapı Sarayı Harem Dairesi
742 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes