Lighthouses of Azerbaijan

One of the former Soviet republics, Azerbaijan faces the southwestern quadrant of the Caspian Sea, bordering Russia to the north and Iran to the south. In the central part of the country's coastline, the Apsheron Peninsula projects about 60 km (37 mi) into the Caspian. The capital, Baki (Baku), is located near the base of the peninsula on the south side. Because the Caspian Sea is landlocked, its lights are not listed on international light lists. We are greatly indebted to Michel Forand, whose research located the information and photo links presented on this page. We are still in need of "on the ground" information concerning the current condition, status, and activity of these lighthouses, so if you able to visit any of them please let me know whatever you find out. Current photos would also be very welcome! The Russian word mayak is used for a lighthouse in Azerbaijan. ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. What's Hot: General Sources

Lighthouses of Azerbaijan, clockwise from upper right: Nardalan (?), Nargin, Apsheron, Maiden's Tower, Lankaran, and Shuvelan (?) Azerbaijan Wikipedia photo by Lider TV, Baku

Lighthouses

* Nardalan (Amburan) 1907. Active (?); characteristics unknown. Approx. 9 m (30 ft) round cylindrical tower with lantern, rising from the front of a 2-story keeper's house. Entire lighthouse painted white. The photo at right is from a documentary prepared by Lider Television in Baku. The photo is not captioned, but circumstantial evidence strongly suggests it shows the Nardalan lighthouse. Confirmation of this conclusion is needed. Located on Cape Nardalan (Cape Amburan) near the town of Nardalan, on the north shore of the Apsheron Peninsula about 25 km (15 mi) north northeast of Baku. Site status unknown, probably open; tower closed. * Shuvelan Active (?); characteristics unknown. No definite information is available, but in the title frame of the Lider TV documentary the only unidentified lighthouse, the one at upper left, might well be Shuvelan Light. If so, there is a lantern mounted atop what looks like a 2-story keeper's house, painted white. The lighthouse marks the entrance to the strait between the mainland and Pirallakhi Island; ships bound for Baku use this strait to avoid a long detour around the Baku Archipelago. Located on a cape near the town of Shuvelan, on the north shore of the Apsheron Peninsula about 35 km (22 mi) east northeast of Baku. Site status unknown, probably open; tower closed.

Lighthouse believed to be Nardalan (Amburan) Light Azerbaijan Wikipedia photo by Lider TV, Baku

* Apsheron ("Danba")

1860. Active (?); characteristics unknown. 25 m (82 ft) round, unpainted masonry tower with lantern and gallery. Google has a satellite view. The lighthouse helps guide vessels through the narrow portion of the strait between the mainland and Pirallakhi Island. Located near Kurkan (Gurgan) on the eastern end of the Apsheron Peninsula. Site open, tower closed.

*** Qiz Qalasi (Maiden Tower)

1858. Inactive since about 1907. Ancient 35 m (115 ft) key-shaped stone tower. Araz Yusivoglu has posted a good photo. This is Baku's best known landmark. No one knows for sure how the Maiden Tower got its name. It dates at least from the twelfth century, possibly from the ninth. Presumably intended as a fortress, the tower has had many uses over the years, including service at least occasionally as a lighthouse. In 1858 the Russians added a light to the historic tower, as seen in a 1900 photo. Located about 150 m (165 yd) from the waterfront in Baku; the tower is centered in this Google satellite view. Site open, tower open daily.

Boyuk Zirya (Nargin Island, Baku) (2) 1958 (station established 1884). Active (?); focal plane about 40 m (131 ft); characteristics unknown. Approx. 15 m (49 ft) octagonal tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white, lantern room red. Google has a satellite view. This light functions as the landfall light for Baku. The original lighthouse was very similar in appearance to the present light. Nargin Island is located in the entrance to Baku's crescent-shaped harbor. The island served as a prisoner of war camp during both world wars, and it also had a small Soviet naval station. Nearly all these buildings have been demolished. Located near the center of the narrow island. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. * Lankaran (Lenkoren) 1869. Active (?); characteristics unknown. 30.5 m (100 ft) round brick tower centered on a large round building. Entire building painted white with a red roof. A 2007 photo is available. The building was originally a prison, and apparently it was used for that purpose even in Soviet times. The light tower was added in 1869, and the building was restored in 1957. Lankaran is the southernmost major town in Azerbaijan, located about 50 km (30 mi) north of the Iranian border. The lighthouse is on the north side of the city. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS AZE-001. * Astara Date unknown. Apparently inactive. A lighthouse is reported in Astara, a town on the Iranian border at the extreme southern tip of Azerbaijan. A Google satellite view shows a square cylindrical tower that may be the lighthouse. If so, it is located about 250 m (820 ft) from the beach and 400 m (1/4 mi) north of the river that forms the border. Site apparently open.

Lankaran Light Wikitravel Creative Commons photo

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

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Posted March 12, 2007. Checked and revised April 24, 2008. Lighthouses: 7. Site copyright 2008 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.