Name and Location

The Taran Lighthouse, also known as маяк «Таран» in Russian, is an active maritime navigation aid located on the Baltic Sea coast of Russia's Kaliningrad Oblast. The lighthouse marks a stretch of shoreline near the small settlement of Mayak in the Svetlogorsky District.

2. Construction and History

The exact date of construction for the Taran Lighthouse is not documented, but it is believed to have been erected during the Soviet period to support growing coastal traffic. The name "Taran" translates to "ram" or "battering ram" in Russian, which may relate to a local shoal or offshore rock formation that "rams" vessels if unmarked.

3. Architecture and Materials

The Taran Lighthouse is a slender cylindrical tower standing approximately 30 meters tall above its concrete foundation. The materials used are likely reinforced concrete, typical of mid-20th-century Soviet-era lighthouses.

4. Light and Navigation

The status of the light is active aid to navigation, but no public record exists for the light characteristic, focal height, nominal range, or flash pattern. Additionally, there is no public record of auxiliary installations such as AIS, radar, or racon.

5. Accessibility and Visiting

The site lies on private or restricted land, with no public path or visitor center provided. The tower entry is also closed to visitors.

6. Notable Views and Landscape

From the base of the lighthouse, one can enjoy pine woodland giving way to sandy dunes and a broad view of the Baltic horizon. Scenic highlights include sunrise and sunset views over the water, migrating seabirds in spring and autumn, as well as proximity to coastal walking trails.

7. Anecdotes and Folklore

No documented legends or keeper-stories have survived in published form. The name "Taran" may recall Soviet naval terminology, but this remains speculative.

8. Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse is presumed fully automated, a standard feature for remote Russian lighthouses. The managing authority is likely the Federal State Unitary Enterprise "Rosmorport" or Coast Guard unit of the Border Service of FSB (not officially confirmed).

9. Further Information

Further information can be found in OpenStreetMap entry way/186648822, Wikidata Q45023833, Russian Wikipedia article ru:Таран (маяк), and Federal chart RU Х-40, Russian Hydrographic Office.