Shabla

SHABLENSKI LTHO, GPS 43°32.42'N; 028°36.42'E

Shablenski LtHo is the northernmost Bulgarian lighthouse and is located at the easternmost point of the Republic of Bulgaria. On 15 July 1856 the lighthouse began to emit a constant light for the sailors. The tower of the lighthouse is a truncated eight-walled pyramid. It is 32 m high and rises 36 m above sea level. One hundred thirty-two steps lead up to the lantern compartment.

Changes to the lighthouse's characteristics were made after the change of optics in the 1930s, at the time when the lighthouse was within the borders of Romania. The appearance was also changed at this time, to red and white, in wide horizontal stripes. The new optics were "AGA", manufactured in Sweden. This type of lighthouse equipment was considered the best for illuminated navigation signs, including headlights, for almost the entire twentieth century. Since 1949, Ivan Hadjiivanov, who spent 33 years here with his family, was appointed to maintain the lighthouse.

From the end of 1949 the lighthouse passed under the authority of the Bulgarian Navy. In 1957 the acetylene burner was replaced by an electric bulb. Since 1987 the optics equipment has been "ACA 500 M", Soviet production.

Today, the characteristics of the headlamp are white, flashing light, with a frequency of 20 sec (light - 0.5 sec, dark - 0.5 sec, light - 0.5 sec, dark - 2.5 sec, light - 1.0 sec, dark - 15.0 sec), with a sector of action of 360º. The signal is visible at distances up to 17 nautical miles.