Şile Castle, Medieval castle on Ocakli Island, Şile, Turkey
Şile Castle is a stone fortress that stands on a small island at the entrance to Şile harbor in Istanbul province. The structure rises above the water with four stories built for defense, featuring thick walls and spaces designed to house guards and store supplies.
The fortress was built under Genoese control and was captured by Ottoman forces in 1396 when Sultan Bayezid I took the strategic coastal position. The structure went through different renovation periods as rulers made changes to keep it functional and strong.
People who lived here for centuries used this fortress to watch over the sea and protect the harbor from danger. You can still feel this role today as you stand on the island and look out toward the water.
You can visit during daytime hours and reach the island by boat or on foot depending on water levels. The structure has been recently renovated and is laid out in a way that lets you move between the different levels and rooms without difficulty.
The fortress shows layers of construction from different periods, with both Byzantine and Ottoman builders leaving their mark on the walls and design. Walking through it reveals how each era made changes to keep the structure relevant to their needs.
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