Anadolu Hisarı
Historical Places of Turkey - Anadolu Hisarı / İstanbul
Anadoluhisari is a fortress located in Istanbul, Turkey on the Anatolian (Asian) side of the Bosporus giving the name of the quarter around it. It was built in 1394 by Ottoman sultan Bayezid “The Thunderbolt” in order to prepare to lay siege at Constantinople.
Anadoluhisari, constructed on an area of 7,000 m², is situated at the narrowest point with 660 m of the Bosporus strait and next to a creek named Göksu (ancient name: Aretos). The Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, the second bridge spanning Bosporus, is located just north of the fortress. Another fortress, Rumelihisari, was built in 1451 by Sultan Mehmed II opposite of Anadoluhisari on the European side to complete absolute control over the ship passage in the strait.
Anadoluhisari was erected as a watch fort. It has a 25 m high, quadratic main tower within the walls of an irregular pentagon with five watchtowers at the corners. There is a masjid in the fortress. It is the oldest Turkish architectural structure built in İstanbul. The fortress was named “Güzelce Hisar” in historical documents. Sultan Mehmed II reinforced the fortress with a 2 m thick wall around it, which had three watchtowers. Some extension buildings like warehouse and houses were added as well. Due to changes made in the past, it has not the original architectural plan nowadays. Following the conquest of Constantinople, it served as a military prison.
Ministry for Culture restored the site in 1991 - 1993. Today, this tiny fort creates a picturesque appearance with the old wooden houses leaning to its walls and the surroundings. Anadoluhisari is a museum (historical site), but not open to public.
