Absheron lighthouse
 Absheron Lighthouse pictured on the stamp | |
 | |
| Location | Absheron peninsula, Gürgan, Gürgən-Pirallahı, Baku, Azerbaijan |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 40°24′25″N 50°19′30″E / 40.406944°N 50.325111°E |
| Tower | |
| Constructed | 1860  |
| Height | 25 m (82 ft) |
| Shape | cylinder |
| Markings | white (tower), red (lantern) |
| Light | |
| Focal height | 101 m (331 ft) |
| Characteristic | Oc W 6s |
Absheron lighthouse or Gurgan lighthouse (Azerbaijani: Abşeron mayakı) is located on the Absheron peninsula, on the Absheron mountain. Built in 1860,[1] it is the largest of the peninsula's lighthouses.[2]
History
[edit]On 14 September 1857, the large steamship "Guba", engaged in astronomical and hydrographic research, was wrecked near the Shuvelan cape.[3] Consequently, 22 crew members lost their lives, 57 people were rescued. After this tragedy, in order to ensure the ships’ safety, the construction of lighthouses on Absheron began.[4]
In 1859, on the top of the Pirallahi island, the Absheron lighthouse was raised - the largest of the peninsula's lighthouses. It stands on a high rocky ledge, the height of the stone tower is 25 meters. The lighthouse has an original design with an arched entrance in the form of a carved portal and windows in the shape of anchors. 102 steps of a spiral staircase lead to the upper part of the stone tower. On 23 October 1860, the lighthouse became operational.[5] It has a visibility range of 38 km, it makes it possible at night to navigate the Absheron Strait on the ship's fairway between the mainland and the island of Pir-Allahi. In 1874, the Baku Society for "rescuing the people perishing in the sea" built, on the Cape Shoulan, a rescue station at the entrance to the Absheron Strait from the north. The lighthouse was initially lit by a kerosene lamp.[6] Later, in 1912, its lighting was renewed with a kerosene-heating installation, and since 1956 with electricity. At this time, the light of the lighthouse is provided by a 500 W electric lamp and a system of special lenses. Near the lighthouse there are three medieval towers.[7]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Xəzərin yol göstərənləri" (in Azerbaijani). medeniyyet.az. September 29, 2010. Archived from the original on January 25, 2022. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
- ^ "Маяки Апшерона" (in Russian). window2baku.com. Archived from the original on March 6, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
- ^ Aygul Salmanova (January 30, 2018). "Absheron lighthouse: Mysterious and biggest in peninsula". azernews.az. Archived from the original on February 2, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
- ^ Oxana Bulanova (September 23, 2017). "Путешествие по маякам Абшерона" (in Russian). Эхо. Archived from the original on July 31, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
- ^ Bakhtiyar Hajiyev (January 28, 2018). "Abşeronun 158 yaşlı mayakı" (in Azerbaijani). milli.az. Archived from the original on January 25, 2022. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
- ^ "Апшерон" (in Russian). mayachnik.ru. Archived from the original on August 2, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
- ^ Алиев Дж. И. "Маяки и башни Апшерона" (in Russian). cyberleninka.ru. Archived from the original on July 31, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
Literature
[edit]- Описание маяков, башен и знаков Российской Империи по берегам Каспийского моря : исправленное по 1 января 1905 года. — Издание Главного Гидрографического Управления Морского Министерства. — С.-Петербург : Тип. Мор. Мин-ва, 1905. — 35 с.
- Описание маяков, башен и знаков Российской империи по берегам Каспийского моря : (Исправленное по 1-е января 1908 года). — Saint Petersburg.