Sile Lighthouse — Attraction in Şile

Commissioned by the Ottoman sultan Abdülmecid I (reigned 1839-1861), it was constructed in 1859 by French engineers.[1] In 1860, the lighthouse went into service.[2]

The masonry lighthouse is built on a cliffy point at Cape Şile about 1 km (0.62 mi) northeast of the town. The 19 m (62 ft) tower with a gallery around the lantern room has the form of an octagonal prism. A masonry one-story keeper's house is attached to it. The lighthouse is painted white with narrow black horizontal bands.[1]

Initially, the lighthouse was lit by kerosene, however the light source was later replaced by Dalén light using carbide (acetylene gas). Since 1968, it runs on electricity.[5] The lighthouse's lantern has eight 925mm catadioptric cylindrical lenses and a 1,000 W light source. At a focal height of 60 m (200 ft), it flashes white for 1.5s every 15 seconds, which is visible at a range of 20 nmi (37 km).[1] The flashing is achieved by eight rotating panels that are still set in motion by a weight-driven mechanism inside the tower using anchor escapement. The falling weight on the chain reaches the bottom of the tower in two hours. For the operation's continuity, the lighthouse keeper has to pull it up by rewinding the chain.[3]

The lighthouse is listed in Turkey under the code "TUR-046" and its radio call sign is TC2SLH.[4] It is operated and maintained by the Coastal Safety Authority (Turkish: Kıyı Emniyeti Genel Müdürlüğü) of the Ministry of Transport and Communication.[1]

Şile Feneri is open to the public, as a...

A friend of mine said that this placed was a nice coffee shop. We were a bunch of friends with family members; we happened to be not too far from the coffee shop. We decided to drive there; incidentally, it was the recent moon eclipse sighting. It was partly cloudy, and the clouds made it difficult to spot the eclipse, but the nature scenery made the outing well worth the drive. Earlier after we arrived that day, we went to the indoor seating area. We tried to order; unfortunately, the power had gone off, and some of the drinks that required power to make were unavailable. Indoor, the temperature was rather hot; we decided to move out to the outdoor seating area and wait for the power. Not too long after we sat outside, it decided to rain. We quickly went back inside. Succumbed to staying indoor, we ordered some drinks and decided to just visit and enjoy the view. The power finally was restored. A few minutes later, the rain stopped, and the sun was partially out. We carried our drinks and moved to the outdoor. The coffee shop is on a hill with a 300-degree, unrestricted view. At one point in time, someone decided to build the lighthouse on the property; it added beauty and uniqueness. With nice weather and a bottomless pot of coffee, I could spend hours in this outdoor. The prices were reasonable, and the service was OK. I am looking forward to going...

I had the pleasure of visiting the old lighthouse in Sile, and it left me in awe. Located in the charming town of Sile near the picturesque coast of the Black Sea, just north of Istanbul, this historic lighthouse is a true gem. Not only is it a mesmerizing piece of history, but it's also the second largest active lighthouse in the world, which is truly impressive.

The panoramic views from the top of the lighthouse are breathtaking, offering a stunning vista of the Black Sea. The location is perfect for a serene getaway, and the lighthouse itself is beautifully preserved. It's a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts, nature lovers, and anyone seeking a peaceful escape.

I highly recommend a visit to the Sile Lighthouse for an unforgettable experience. It's a testament to both Turkey's rich history and the natural beauty of the Black Sea coast. Don't miss the opportunity to explore this...