Overview:

is a stone lighthouse built in 1864 that stands in Sile, a district of Istanbul Province, on the Black Sea coast of Turkey. The lighthouse, overlooking the Bosporus, is located at the meeting point of two bodies of water, the inner bay of Sile Bay and the open waters of the Black Sea. It is one of the oldest lighthouses in Turkey, and is thought to be the first known example of a stone lighthouse in the country. The tower stands 20 meters (65 ft.) high, and is constructed of wrought iron plates set in brick masonry. It is equipped with a light and fog horn. The white lantern flashing pale green light has a range of 12 nautical miles and a lighthouse keeper maintains it. The Sile Lighthouse is a listed protected monument in Turkey. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Turkey
Prominent Features:

- Built on the shores of the Bosphorus, Sile Lighthouse sits in a prominent location on the Asian side of Istanbul. - The lighthouse has served as a navigational aid and landmark for centuries and is one of the most iconic features of the city's skyline. - The lighthouse was originally a two-story stone building, but was later renovated and raised to a single-story tower. - The light it emits is quite bright and can be seen for miles around, and is a familiar sight for visitors and locals alike. - Today, Sile Lighthouse stands as a reminder of the city's ancient maritime history and a symbol of Istanbul's present-day maritime connections. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Turkey.

History:

Sile Lighthouse in Istanbul is thought to have been built in the 1520s or 1530s during the Ottoman reign of Suleiman the Magnificent. A reported inscription on the lighthouse suggest Ahmad Pasha, a commander of naval forces in the Ottoman Navy, built the lighthouse. This was likely in response to the increased military presence and commercial activity in the Bosphorus during the era. The lighthouse is located at the mouth of the Black Sea and the Bosphorus Sea on the Asian side of Istanbul, Turkey. It is believed to be the oldest functioning lighthouse in the world and is a historical monument. The octagonal tower stands at 31 meters tall above sea level and is made of cut stone blocks with a red and white spiral-striped pattern. Despite its age, the lighthouse has undergone several renovations, the first of which was in 1743. During this renovation, a clock was added and much of the structure was rebuilt. In records from the time, the repairs were said to have cost 30,000 Ottoman lira. Since then, the lighthouse has been renovated two more times, in 1835 and 1865. Additionally, a small, one-story keeper’s house was added in the late 1700s. This was followed by a three-story guard house in the early 1900s. During the renovations, the spiral lines were removed and the structure was painted white. Today, Sile Lighthouse is still considered an important navigational aid. The light is automated, and still serves as a guide for mariners coming and leaving the Bosphorus Sea. It is also a popular tourist attraction, providing visitors with glimpses of Turkey’s storied maritime past. Visit one of the famous monuments of Turkey with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Sile Lighthouse is one of the oldest lighthouses in Istanbul, dating back to the Ottoman Empire. 2. Located west of Istanbul on the Black Sea coast, the lighthouse has been in operation since 1856, marking the entrance to Sile Bay. 3. The lighthouse is still active today and is a popular tourist attraction. 4. At 42 meters tall, it is the tallest lighthouse in Turkey. 5. The exterior of the tower is painted with a white and gold checkerboard pattern, which is quite uncommon. 6. The 4-sided tower features octagonal windows which illuminate the night sky with flashes of red and white light. 7. In 2003, the lighthouse was declared a "protected structure" by the government, to help protect it from the elements and future damage. One of the historical monuments of Turkey, it tells the story of a bygone era