| Yeşilköy Feneri Ayostefanos Feneri | |||||||
| Location: | Yeşilköy Istanbul Turkey | ||||||
| Yearbuilt: | 1856[1] | ||||||
| Yearlit: | 1857 | ||||||
| Construction: | stone tower | ||||||
| Shape: | octagonal prism prism tower centered on the keeper's house[2] | ||||||
| Marking: | white tower | ||||||
| Height: | 16m (52feet) | ||||||
| Focalheight: | 23m (75feet) | ||||||
| Lens: | 500mm catadioptric cylindrical lens | ||||||
| Intensity: | 500 W | ||||||
| Range: | 15nmi[3] | ||||||
| Characteristic: | Fl W 10s. | ||||||
| Fogsignal: | blast every 30s. | ||||||
| Country: | Turkey | ||||||
| Module: |
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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.[4] [5]
Built in 1856, it was initially called Ayostefanos Feneri (Hagios Stefanos Lighthouse) after the suburb's former name.[2]
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.[6] It is situated roughly 14km (09miles) to the southwest of the southern entrance to the Bosporus.[2]
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 16m (52feet) tower was constructed on a platform, enabling a focal height of 23m (75feet).[2] The structure is painted entirely white.[4] 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.[3]
Yeşilköy Lighthouse went in service on January 5, 1857.[7] 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 15nmi. In foggy conditions, a foghorn sounds every 30 seconds to warn of the hazardous area.[2] [3] [6]
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 (tr|Kıyı Emniyeti Genel Müdürlüğü) of the Ministry of Transport and Communication.[2] The lighthouse underwent restoration in the years 1945, 1971 and 1988.[6]
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]