Ay-Todorskiy Lighthouse (Mys Aytodor, Ajtodor, Ai-Todor)

One of the oldest lighthouses on the Black Sea coast. Built in 1835, the lighthouse received the name of the cape, which in Greek means “Saint Fedor”.

1865 - Stone lighthouse, round with buttresses. Lantern grey. height from base 38.5 feet. The lighting apparatus is catoptric, consisting of 6 lamps and 6 reflectors. Shines with a constant white light from N0 37°45' through O and S to SW 82°45' for 19.6 Italian miles. The height of the building from the base is 38.5 eng. feet, from sea level - 350 English. ft.

In 1873, the construction of a new tower began. A light and a diopter light-optical apparatus for it were ordered from the factory of the Chance brothers (England, Birmingham). Instead of the old tower on the cape, a new, octagonal white stone tower was built. height (together with the dome) 11.4 m.

The appearance of the tower and the two-story residential building built simultaneously with it has survived to this day.
On August 6, 1876, the lantern and the top of the old tower that stood between the shore and the new lighthouse, were dismantled, and the new lighthouse began to operate. The lighthouse shone white constant fire located at an elevation of 94.5 m from sea level, providing a visibility range of up to 16 miles.

In 1904, instead of a kerosene lamp, a more advanced kerosene incandescent installation with greater light intensity was installed in the lighting apparatus. In 1906, a sound-signal fog apparatus began to operate at the lighthouse using automatic explosions of pyroxylin cartridges.

On September 11, 1927, at 22:15, a strong earthquake occurred in the Crimea. As a result of the earthquake
many lighthouses, including Aytodorsky, were badly damaged.

Their renovation was completed only in the early 1930s. Despite the rampant elements, the saving fire continued to shine uninterruptedly on the sailors.

The lighthouse has survived several wars in its history. During hostilities, he either stopped lighting, or worked in a special mode.

During the WW II, shelling and bombing destroyed the tower, residential building and outbuildings.

In 1944, the lighthouse was restored, and once again its green flashing light began to help guide ships and ships sailing along the southern coast of Crimea.

In 1948, an American radio beacon was put into operation at the lighthouse,

in 1965 it was replaced by a more advanced domestic long-range circular radio beacon.
In 1954, the first experimental set of EMV-930 electric beacon light-optical equipment was installed in the lantern, providing a fire visibility range of up to 24 miles. The height of the fire from sea level is 87 m.

The present lighthouse is a copy of the 1876 lighthouse, which was destroyed in World War II.

Site normally open in the past; tower closed. ARLHS UKR-001; Admiralty N5316; NGA 18340.