View source for Absheron lighthouse

{{short description|Lighthouse in Azerbaijan}}
{{Infobox lighthouse}}

'''Absheron lighthouse''' or '''Gurgan lighthouse''' ({{lang-az|Abşeron mayakı}}) is located on the [[Absheron Peninsula|Absheron peninsula]], on the Absheron mountain. Built in 1860,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://medeniyyet.az/page/news/12581/-Xezerin-yol-gosterenleri-.html?lang=en |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125083725/https://medeniyyet.az/page/news/12581/-Xezerin-yol-gosterenleri-.html?lang=en|archivedate=January 25, 2022
|title=Xəzərin yol göstərənləri|author=|date=September 29, 2010|publisher=medeniyyet.az|accessdate=January 25, 2022|language=az}}</ref> it is the largest of the peninsula's lighthouses.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.window2baku.com/Caspian/mayaki.htm |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306233720/http://www.window2baku.com/Caspian/mayaki.htm|archivedate=March 6, 2021|title=Маяки Апшерона |publisher=window2baku.com|accessdate=January 25, 2022|language=ru}}</ref>

== History ==
On 14 September 1857, the large steamship "Guba", engaged in astronomical and hydrographic research, [[Monument to the "Guba" ship sailors|was wrecked]] near the [[Shuvalan|Shuvelan cape]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.azernews.az/travel/126302.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202051927/https://www.azernews.az/travel/126302.html|archivedate=February 2, 2018|title=Absheron lighthouse: Mysterious and biggest in peninsula|author=Aygul Salmanova|date=January 30, 2018|publisher=azernews.az|accessdate=January 25, 2022|language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anl.az/down/meqale/exo/2017/sentyabr/556230.htm |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731181812/http://www.anl.az/down/meqale/exo/2017/sentyabr/556230.htm|archivedate=July 31, 2021|title=Путешествие по маякам Абшерона|author= Oxana Bulanova|date=September 23, 2017|publisher=Эхо|accessdate=January 25, 2022|language=ru}}</ref>

In 1859, on the top of the [[Pirallahi Island|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.milli.az/society/620477.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125083753/https://news.milli.az/society/620477.html|archivedate=January 25, 2022|title=Abşeronun 158 yaşlı mayakı|author=Bakhtiyar Hajiyev|date=January 28, 2018|publisher=milli.az|accessdate=January 25, 2022|language=az}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mayachnik.ru/book/export/html/500 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802121226/http://www.mayachnik.ru/book/export/html/500|archivedate=August 2, 2021|title=Апшерон|publisher=mayachnik.ru 
|accessdate=January 25, 2022|language=ru}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/mayaki-i-bashni-apsherona/viewer|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731181810/https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/mayaki-i-bashni-apsherona/viewer |archivedate=July 31, 2021|title=Маяки и башни Апшерона|author=Алиев Дж. И.|date=|publisher=cyberleninka.ru|accessdate=January 25, 2022|language=ru}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Boyuk Zira Lighthouse]]
* [[Monument to the "Guba" ship sailors]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|2}}

== Literature ==
* [https://elib.rgo.ru/safe-view/123456789/231196/1/MTMxNjVfT3Bpc2FuaWUgbWF5YWtvdiwgYmFzaGVuIGkgem5ha292IFJvc3NpaXNrb2kgSW1wZXIucGRm 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]].


[[Category:Lighthouses in Azerbaijan]]
[[Category:Lighthouses completed in the 19th century]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1860]]