The Rumeli Fortress (Rumeli Hisarı)

This fortress was built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 as his first step in the conquest of Constantinople . Situated at the narrowest point of the Bosphorus, the fortress controlled a major Byzantine supply route. Across the straits is AnadoTu Hisan, or the Fortress of Asia, which was built in the 14th century by Beyazit I.
The Fortress of Europe's layout was planned by Mehmet himself. While his grand vizier  and two other viziers were each responsible for the building of one of the three great towers, the sultan took charge of the walls. In the spirit of competition which evolved, the fortress was completed in four months.
The new fortress was soon nicknamed Boğazkesen -meaning "Throat-cutter" or "Strait-cutter". It was garrisoned by a force of Janissaries . These troops trained their cannons on the straits to prevent the passage of foreign ships. After they had sunk a Venetian vessel, this approach to Constantinople was cut off. Following the conquest of the city, the fortress lost its importance as a military base and was used as a prison, particularly for out-of-favour foreign envoys and prisoners-of-war. (s1)

 


During the conquest of Istanbul. Fatih Sultan Mehmet (the conqueror)  intended to prevent the city get aid from the Danube and the Black  Sea. So he decided that a second fortress should be constructed opposite to the Anadolu Hisan (Anadolu Fortress). 1.000 craftsmen and 2.000 workers completed the fortress within an unbelievable time of 4 months in 1452. It includes 3 towers and walls among them. The name of the region was Hermayon and it belonged to a Greek monastery.
Near the seashore is the Halil Pasha Tower. It has 12 corners. Right of it is the Saruca Pasha Tower.
Its diameter is 24 m. and height 33 tn. At the left is the Zaghanos Pasha Tower of 57 m. height from the sea. The width of the castle in north-south direction is 250 in. and of east-west is 130 m. In 1953. it was restored for the celebration of the 500th anniversary' of the conquest. It has a cannon museum and an open air museum used for the concerts in summer period. (s4)



 
 

Your Guide to Istanbul.