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.
The best 5 dollar entrance fee you'll spend in Istanbul! Definitely a bit dangerous — no safety mechanisms, VERY high narrow walls! — which is part of the excitement! Great views. Great place to spend some hours and sit and watch the Bosphorus go by.
This place is reaaly really beatiful.Especiaaly on the top of that where you can see the sea and Fatih bridge.It has stony steps between them there is lots of trees.You know the most beautiful view is on the top of that where you want to stop and start watching for hours.
Definitely should be seen. Although it's tiring to climb all the stairs to go to the top of the fortress, you'll be happy to see a wonderful bosphorus view. The history of the fortress is so impressive too.
amazing fortress. best value for money. but in summer.
Built in just 4 months, by a 20 year old sultan, who also barricaded the Bosporus with a 700 yard iron chain and hauled 68 ships overland in one night to conquer Constantinople. This guy was amazing!
The location of this amazing castle is on the West bank of the Bosporus, just 600 meters south of the second Bosporus bridge. We went there from the old city by jumping on tram line 1 crossing the Galata Bridge till the end station (also a good starting point for boat trips). Then we took the bus that followed the…
This is the site where my husband and I realized that the ADA is definitely an American thing. The fortress was beautiful and oozed history, but I would have been a basket case if we had visited with little ones. The stairs were steep and hand-rail free. One missed step and splat! I could just picture teachers trying to corral…
Its a trek to get here and back if you are staying in Sultanahmet, but well worth it. We were the only visitors on a glorious winter day and were able to climb the walls and enjoy the spectacular views of the Bosphorus. Our family of 5 (Mom, Dad and 3 daughters ages 23, 20 and 16) loved exploring and…
You would be amazed to know that this huge fortress was built in 4 months !!! How is that even possible!!
This is a place of historical significance and great beauty. It is unspoilt, not crowded, a peaceful place. The grounds are natural with trees and animals a plenty. We ate fresh fruit and nuts picked from the trees. Wear sturdy or flat shoes, the walls are accessible and not for the faint hearted but the views are to die for!