Yedikule Fortress

Description

A historic fortress used as both a defense structure and a dungeon during the Byzantine and Ottoman periods.

Story

Yedikule Fortress is a unique defense structure built by adding towers during the Ottoman period atop the Golden Gate, one of the most important gates of the Byzantine era. The Golden Gate, which served as a Triumphal Arch for Byzantium, was the ceremonial gate used by emperors when going on campaigns and returning victorious. After the conquest of Istanbul in 1453, Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror leveraged the strategic and symbolic location of the gate, adding three new towers to it, resulting in a seven-towered fortress along with the existing two. During the Ottoman period, the fortress was used not only for military purposes but also as a secure treasury for the state and a dungeon for state criminals. Its inner courtyard is a vast open space surrounded by high rampart walls. Each of the towers served different purposes in different periods; one of the most famous is the 'Dungeon Tower'. Historical accounts contain various narratives about many statesmen, ambassadors, and criminals who were held here. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the fortress gradually lost its importance and fell into disrepair for a period. With restorations carried out during the Republic era, the structure was strengthened again and opened to visitors. The latest major restorations, which began in the 2020s, have secured the fortress's towers, rampart walkways, and courtyard, transforming the structure back into a center for cultural events. Today, Yedikule Fortress is one of Istanbul's most distinctive structures, shedding light on both its Byzantine and Ottoman periods. From its high towers, views extend to the Marmara Sea and the land walls. This fortress, which has witnessed both splendor and painful moments in different periods of history, offers visitors the opportunity to personally feel the transition points of two empires.

Visit Tips

• Admission is charged, and may vary by season.
• Some towers might be closed during restoration periods.
• Be careful when climbing the towers on windy days.
• The calmest time is in the morning.

Photos