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]

Absheron lighthouse
Abşeron mayakı
Absheron Lighthouse pictured on the stamp
Map
LocationAbsheron peninsula, Gürgan, Gürgən-Pirallahı, Baku, Azerbaijan Edit this at Wikidata
Coordinates40°24′25″N 50°19′30″E / 40.406944°N 50.325111°E / 40.406944; 50.325111
Tower
Constructed1860 Edit this on Wikidata
Height25 m (82 ft) Edit this on Wikidata
Shapecylinder Edit this on Wikidata
Markingswhite (tower), red (lantern) Edit this on Wikidata
Light
Focal height101 m (331 ft) Edit this on Wikidata
CharacteristicOc W 6s Edit this on Wikidata

History

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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

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References

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  1. ^ "Xəzərin yol göstərənləri" (in Azerbaijani). medeniyyet.az. September 29, 2010. Archived from the original on January 25, 2022. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  2. ^ "Маяки Апшерона" (in Russian). window2baku.com. Archived from the original on March 6, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ Oxana Bulanova (September 23, 2017). "Путешествие по маякам Абшерона" (in Russian). Эхо. Archived from the original on July 31, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ "Апшерон" (in Russian). mayachnik.ru. Archived from the original on August 2, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  7. ^ Алиев Дж. И. "Маяки и башни Апшерона" (in Russian). cyberleninka.ru. Archived from the original on July 31, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2022.

Literature

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