Rumelihisarı (Fortress), located in the Sarıyer district of Istanbul, Turkey, on a hill at the European side of the Bosphorus. It gives the name of the quarter around it. It was built by the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II between 1451 and 1452, before he conquered Constantinople. The three great towers were named after three of Mehmed II’s viziers, Sadrazam Çandarlı Halil Pasha, who built the big tower next to the gate, Zağanos Pasha, who built the south tower, and Sarıca Pasha, who built the north tower.
Rumelihisarı was built by Sultan Mehmed II between 1451 and 1452 in order to control the sea traffic on the Bosphorus strait and prevent aid from the Black Sea to reach Constantinople during the Turkish siege of the city in 1453, particularly from the Genoese colonies such as Caffa, Sinop and Amasra. In a previous Ottoman attempt to conquer the city, Sultan Murad II (1404–1451) had encountered difficulties due to a blockade of the Bosphorus by the Byzantine fleet.
Since 1960 Rumelihisarı has been a museum and an open-air theater for various concerts at festivals during the summer months.
Halil Pasha Tower, Rumelihisarı.
General view from Rumelihisarı, with the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge in the background.
Amazing to think that they built this thing 4 months. It's huge and impressive but basically nothing inside except for trees, hills and paths. Nice piece of history but you do as well seeing it from the outside as from the inside.
I visited the fortress in one evening. It closed after 18:00, but if you are in Istanbul you should see this. The view from the walls is breath-taking and you can see the second bridge that makes the connection between Europe and Asia. Recomand
I like this place very much, not only because is an ancient fortress built by Fatih Mehmet Sultan to be protected from Byzantium, also it an incredible view to Bosphorus,from the nearest restaurant
We stopped at the Rumeli Castle/Fortress while on a cruie of the Bosphorus Straits. They only allowed about 30 minutes, so we didn't have much time to go inside. It's very high, with narrow, steep steps and no railings. I wanted to climb up inside but it's not a place where you want to rush, as there are no rails…
That's a quite impressive fortress. There are no safety barriers or anything so it's fun to move around. Although it's a challenge for people who are afraid of heights to walk up all the way 🙂 you also get a nice panorama of Bosphorus. Overall – visit it!
The fortress was built to block the supply to the city before Fatih the Conqueror conquered Istanbul. Excellent view of the Bosphorus.
Rumelihisari Fortress, at the narrowest point of the Bosphorus strait (660 meters), was built by Sultan Mehmed II between 1451 and 1452. It has very interesting history which you should read in any travel book or a tourist booklet.
On a sunny day on Aug. 17, 2012, we (11 of us) had a brunch at Emirgan Sutis, after which seven…
To get to the fortress, buy a 2.5TL ticket at a kiosk at Kabatas and get into 25E bus. It will take you along the Bosphorus to the North. Get out at Rumeli Hisari stop which is right near the second bridge over the canal. To find the entrance walk a little back along the seaside road.
The surroundings is…
This fortress is beautiful and has beautiful views of the Bosporus. There were very few tourists there so you really can appreciate the size of the place at your own pace. Plus it was only 5 TL to get in, which is nothing compared to what most of the sights charge.
What an amazing fortress, of a sanctuary, i spent half a day on my lst day, felt emotional, the walls have a strong character, protected by all the trees, happy singing birds, the view is sensational, romantic place actually, i fell in love !!! Photogenic place, take alot of pictures. Not to mention the victorious history, easily felt. Followed…