Kilitbahir Castle, Ottoman fortress in Eceabat, Turkey
Kilitbahir is a fortress located in the village of Eceabat overlooking the Dardanelles Strait in Çanakkale Province. The structure features a triangular central tower with seven levels connected by stone bridges and surrounded by three circular bastions arranged in a clover-shaped layout.
Sultan Mehmed II constructed this fortress in 1452 during the siege of Constantinople to prevent naval access through the strait. The building became a critical outpost for controlling the Dardanelles and strengthening Ottoman dominance in the region.
The name Kilitbahir means 'lock of the sea' in Turkish, reflecting how the fortress controlled passage through the narrow strait. Standing on the walls, you can see why this location was so important for managing movement between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean.
Early morning or late afternoon light best reveals the fortress details and architectural features on the stone walls. You can reach the site from the Eceabat harbor or take a ferry connection from across the strait, offering flexible travel options.
The three-bastion clover-shaped design was an advanced defensive technique allowing crossfire from multiple angles to protect the strait. This geometric layout was an innovative engineering solution that maximized surveillance and firepower coverage of the waterway.
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