Being the capital of three great empires, Istanbul has always had a great strategic importance throughout history. As a result, there are many castles built in different parts of Istanbul today. These castles, which were built in time to protect both Istanbul and the Bosphorus, have seen many wars and many nations, has come from history to this day. So that some of these castles are in harmony with Istanbul and have become important points that everyone knows and visits to find peace even for a Sunday breakfast. Apart from the Fortress that have become symbols of Istanbul, such as the Rumeli Fortress and the Anatolian Fortress, which we all visit frequently, these historical artifacts in Istanbul are an impressive piece of history that you can spend a pleasant day with.
Let’s start with Yoros Fortress
Yoros Castle is an eight-century castle located within the borders of Beykoz district. Completed in 1262, Yoros Castle is in a very strategic position in terms of the place where it was built. Yoros Castle, which has a typical Eastern Roman architecture, was established to prevent attacks from the north to Istanbul. There are inscriptions from the Eastern Roman period on its walls. The castle remained under the control of the Genoese until the conquest of Istanbul and for this reason it is also known as the Ceneviz Castle.
Sile Castle
Şile Castle , also known as Ocaklı Island Castle , is one of the many castles on the Black Sea coast of Istanbul . It was built as a watchtower in the Eastern Roman period. The castle, which was conquered by Yıldırım Beyazıt in 1396, provided great opportunity for the Ottomans to control the Bosphorus traffic and dominate the region after this date. Due to the invasion attempts over time, the castle was badly damaged and turned into a ruin. The restoration carried out in the past years has also attracted reactions on the grounds that it is not look alike to the original.
Imros Castle ( Rumelifeneri )
In fact, rumeli hisari and rumelifeneri are two completely different castles, although they are often confused with rumeli hisari. The castle, which is in the Rumelifeneri region, which is also mentioned in Greek mythology, was used in the Eastern Roman period and later fell into ruin. The castle, which was rebuilt in the 17th century during the reign of Murat the 4th, has been reused since then.
Rumelifeneri Castle, which was used as a military post during the Republican period, is one of the most important strategic points on the Black Sea coast within the borders of Sarıyer district.
Riva Castle
Another important castle within the borders of Beykoz district is located in Riva. Riva Castle is also mentioned as Revan Castle in the archives. Just like Rumelifeneri, the castle built in the region mentioned as one of the places where Iason lived in Greek mythology was an important defense line in the north of the Eastern Roman period. Conquered by the Ottoman army under the command of Yıldırım Beyazıt in 1391, the castle was strategically important just like the Yoros and Şile castles.
Rumeli Fortress
Rumelihisarı, one of the most important and beautiful symbols of the Bosphorus and even Istanbul, is a building that Fatih Sultan Mehmet brought to the city. The castle, which was built right across Anadoluhisarı during the preparations for the conquest of Istanbul, played a deterrent role in preventing logistical support from the Black Sea to Eastern Rome.
Also known as Boğazkesen Fortress, this strategic castle built at the narrowest point of the Bosphorus, 600 meters wide, was opened to settlement in the period after the conquest of Istanbul, and a neighborhood and a mosque were built within it.
