Name and Location

The Kumkapı Radar İstasyonu, also known as Kumkapı Radar Station, is a small white-painted radar tower located on the southern shore of Istanbul's historic peninsula, adjacent to the Çatleşikap fishing port in the Küçük Ayasofya quarter of Fatih district. Its coordinates are 41°00′05″ N, 28°58′40″ E.

2. Construction and History

The exact construction era of Kumkapı Radar İstasyonu is not publicly documented, but it is likely to be in the late 20th century. The tower's primary function is as a Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) radar installation rather than a traditional light beacon.

3. Architecture and Materials

Kumkapı Radar İstasyonu is a slim, cylindrical concrete-or-steel tower painted white. Its exact height is unrecorded, but it is speculated to be under 5 nautical miles given the tower's height.

4. Light and Navigation

The tower provides a fixed red isophase light as a day-and-night landmark for small craft, with a period of 3 seconds. The light characteristic is Iso (isophase) red, with no official range or focal height published.

5. Accessibility and Visiting

Public access to the Kumkapı Radar İstasyonu is restricted due to its operational nature as a radar installation. However, visitors can view the tower from the Kennedy Caddesi waterfront promenade, near the fishing port. The nearest public transport options include tram line T1 at Sultanahmet stop (approximately 1 km) and city buses along Kennedy Caddesi.

6. Notable Views and Landscape

The surrounding area offers historic views of the Maiden's Tower and the Princes' Islands in the Sea of Marmara. Within walking distance are Istanbul's iconic landmarks such as Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace, and the Theodosian city walls.

7. Anecdotes and Folklore

Local fishermen sometimes refer to the steady red flash from Kumkapı Radar İstasyonu as a "little beacon at Kumkapı."

8. Technical and Operational Details

Kumkapı Radar İstasyonu is fully automated with no onsite keeper, forming part of the municipal VTS network operated by the Turkish Directorate General of Coastal Safety (Kıyı Emniyeti Genel Müdürlüğü).

9. Further Information

• For further information, visit the Turkish Coast Guard VTS publications (in Turkish) or the Kıyı Emniyeti Genel Müdürlüğü official website: https://www.kiyiemniyeti.gov.tr.