Anatolian Castle

The territory of the former Ottoman Empire, which was one of the greatest states in the world, had a lot of fortifications built for the sake of defending and strengthening the borders which were constantly expanding. Strong stone walls and great watchtowers still decorate the modern capital of Turkey. Among such «decorations» is the ancient Anatolian Castle. Locals call it «Güzelce Hisar» which means «the Beauteous Castle» in Turkish.

This small fortification is located in the narrowest part of the border of the well-known Bosphorus Strait. The part of the strait where the fortification is settled is only 660 meters wide. The Middle Ages castle was built in 1393 by a decree of Sultan Bayezid I. It was supposed to be an observation post for defending a small harbor where the Ottoman navy was located. Its other function was a secret transition of the navy soldiers. The height of the main watchtower reached 25 meters which at that time allowed the Ottomans to observe a broad territory. The old castle, which survived through the ages, occupied an area of around 7000 square meters.

To the regret of Sultan Bayezid, he could not manage to keep his power. So after his army was defeated by the legendary Tamerlane, the ancient stone castle became a shelter for his son, Süleyman Çelebi.

The great Anatolian Castle lost its defending function over time. In 1452, during the construction of the castle initiated by Mehmed the Conqueror, several new fortifications were built near it. At that time the Ottoman Empire got control over the waters of the Bosporus Strait. Later, the castle housed a jail and after restoration works in 1993 – a historical museum.

Today the great fortification of Sultan Bayezid I is a part of the defensive stone walls, great watchtowers and a small mosque which was built by Mehmed II. Around the fortification, you will find a fascinating park named after Bayezid I.