Rumelihisarı

Rumelihisar is a fortress located in the Turkish city of Istanbul. It is located on one of the shores of the Bosphorus, namely at its narrowest part. The date of construction is 1452. Protection from enemy ships is the main purpose of the construction of Rumelikhisar. Its founder is Sultan Mehmed, who was the Conqueror of the Citadel. Translated into our language, Rumelikhisar means "Cutting the Strait."

The history of the fortress's creation reads as follows: Monarch Mehmed II decided to build a fortress on the European coast of the Bosphorus before capturing Constantinople. This fortress made it easier to control the passage of various ships and their sudden entry into the territory.

The fortress was designed by the renowned architect Muslihiddin and its implementation began in 1452. In the same year, the construction was completed, as it was being built at a very fast pace (over 139 days). The citadel was built by about 800 people who directly erected its walls, and 200 who worked as cabmen and boatmen. In total, about 3,000 people worked on this mighty building.

Sultan Mehmed II himself, along with three of his associates, were dusty about the quality of the work. When the towers were erected, the sultan ordered them to be named after the people who deserved it. So they bear the names of Chandarly Khalil Pasha (in the name of the great vizier), Saryja Pasha (in the name of the brave warrior), Ziganos Pasha (close adviser).

The Saryji Pasha Tower is the tallest among all, and reaches 28 meters. In addition to the listed towers, Rumelikhisar also has 13 small ones that served as a place of observation. The entire area of the fortress was 30,000 ^m2.

It was possible to enter the fortress by passing through one of the three gates, which were located at each of the main towers. There were also secret gates, which almost no one knew about, where the food warehouses were stored, as well as the main arsenal. In the middle of the fortress there were soldiers' barracks, as well as a small mosque, where there was a reservoir.

Rumelikhisar is presented to tourists in our time, after the reconstruction in 1953, which was dedicated to the 500th anniversary of the conquest of Constantinople. All renovation work on the fortress was completed in 1958. At that time, a museum with artillery exhibits was opened on the territory of Rumelikhisar. A summer theater has also started operating here, where you can watch lively concerts.

Guests of Istanbul can enjoy Rumelihisar daily from 9 a.m. It is not difficult to get to this place by bus or ferry.