Aniva lighthouse, Sakhalin, Russia

Aniva Lighthouse stands on a rocky islet off the southern coast of Sakhalin, Russia, where the Sea of Okhotsk meets the La Pérouse Strait. Built in 1939, it was designed to guide ships through foggy, dangerous waters and once operated using a diesel-powered system. The lighthouse is tall and cylindrical, with a spiral staircase inside and living quarters built into its structure. Now abandoned, it remains a striking landmark, often surrounded by mist and rough seas, and is known for its remote and dramatic setting.

Photo by Yaroslav Shuraev under a Creative Commons license