Rumelihisarı

Rumelihisarı – is a fortress, the location of which is the Turkish city of Istanbul. It is located on one of the banks of the Bosphorus, namely, at its narrowest part. The date of construction is 1452. Protection against enemy ships is the main goal of the construction of Rumelychisar. Its founder is Sultan Mehmed, who was the Conqueror of the Citadel. Translated into our language, Rumelihisar means « Cutting Strait ».

The history of the creation of the fortress reads as follows: the monarch Mehmed II decided to build a fortress on the European coast of Bosphorus, before the capture of Constantinople. This fortress facilitated control over the passage of various ships and their sudden introduction into the territory.

The fortress was designed by the noble architect Müslikhiddin and its implementation began in 1452. In the same year, the construction was completed, as it was being built at a very fast pace ( for 139 days ). The citadel was built by approximately 800 people who directly erected its walls, and 200 who worked as cabbage rolls and boaters. In total, about 3,000 people worked on this powerful building.

The Sultan of Mehmed II himself, together with his three associates, dustfully raged over the quality of the work. When the towers were erected, the Sultan ordered to name them after the people who deserved it. So they bear the names Chandarly Khalil-Pasha ( in the name of the great vezir ), Saryja Pasha ( in the name of the brave warrior ), Ziganos Pasha ( close adviser ).

Saryji Pasha Tower, the highest among all, reaches 28 meters. In addition to the listed towers, Rumelihisar also has 13 not large ones that served as a place of observation. The entire area of the fortress was 30,000 m².

You could get into the fortress by going through one of the three gates that were located at each of the main towers. There was also a secret gate, about which almost no one knew where the grocery stores were stored, as well as the main arsenal. In the middle of the fortress were soldiers' barracks, as well as a small-sized mosque where there was a reservoir.

Rumelihisar is presented to tourists in our time, after reconstruction in 1953, which was dedicated to the 500th anniversary of the conquest of Constantinople. All work on updating the fortress was completed in 1958. At this time, a museum was opened on the territory of Rumelihisar, where artillery exhibits are presented. The summer theater also began to work here, where you can watch bright concerts.

Istanbul guests can taste Rumelihisar daily from 9 in the morning. Getting to this place is not difficult using a bus or ferry.