Yedikule Fortress, Ottoman fortress in Fatih district, Istanbul, Turkey
Yedikule Fortress is a fortified complex with seven towers connected by thick walls arranged in a pentagonal shape. It stands near the ancient walls of Constantinople and displays construction from different periods.
Sultan Mehmed II ordered three additional towers built in 1458 to enclose the pre-existing Byzantine Golden Gate. This ancient gate was incorporated into the new fortification structure.
The fortress served as a treasury vault, a prison for foreign diplomats, and a place of execution for Ottoman officials throughout centuries. Today, visitors can walk through different chambers that reveal traces of these varied historical uses.
The fortress is reachable by suburban train from Sirkeci Station to Yedikule station, followed by a short walk. Plan to spend time exploring both the towers and the outer walls around the complex.
The structure blends Byzantine construction with Ottoman additions in ways that are visible throughout the complex. Close inspection reveals how the builders from different eras used distinct techniques and stone-work patterns.
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