Absheron lighthouse: Mysterious and biggest in peninsula
By Aygul Salmanova
With the rapid development of the navigation system, the need for lighthouses has diminished in the 21st century. Many lighthouses have been dismantled in the world and protected in some countries as historical monuments.
The idea of building lighthouses on the shores of Absheron peninsula had been proposed by the Russian Empire in 1852, but this proposal was not implemented due to lack of funds. However, the problem of maritime transport safety was shifted to the forefront on September 14, 1857, following the incident related with the large “Guba” ship near Shuvalan. For this purpose, three lighthouses - Absheron, Nardaran (Amburan) and Shuvalan lighthouses - were built on the north shores of Absheron peninsula.
The biggest lighthouse in Azerbaijan is the Absheron lighthouse, located in the territory of Gurgen settlement. The lighthouse, built on hard rocky cliffs at Pirallahi Island built in 1859, was commissioned on October 23, 1860. However, unfortunately, it is impossible to enter the lighthouse as its door is locked. The impression is that the rusty locks on the door cannot not be opened for many years.
It is assumed that some 102 circular stairs are extended inside the lighthouse. The light reflected by the lighthouse at 38 km, provided safe entry of ships between the Absheron Peninsula and Pirallahi Island in the past.
A magnificent view opens from the cliffs where the lighthouse is situated: the Pirallahi island extending horizontally and the mesmerizing Caspian sea.
Prior to the presence of lighthouses in Absheron, historically this function was carried out by fortresses built in the peninsula during Shirvanshahs dynasty. Throughout the centuries, bonfires on the upper part of the fortresses had assisted ships in navigation.
Shortly before the launch of the sea lighthouses, the Maiden Tower, which is still considered the main symbol of Baku, was appropriated to carry out this function.
The most majestic and most mysterious monument of Baku, Maiden Tower or Giz Galasi as it is called here, towering in the south-eastern part of the Icheri Sheher fortress. This unique construction of Azerbaijani architecture has no analogues in the East.
The date of construction of the Tower has not yet been determined. Often the time of its construction was determined by the 12th century. This is the age of the plate with an inscription located on the outside of the Tower.
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