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Rumeli Hisari fortress in Istanbul photo by Modris Putns –

Top 10 Remarkable Facts about Rumeli Fortress

Istanbul is a city that is distinctive enough in that it connects the two continents, but the Anatolian and Rumeli Fortress further distinguish Istanbul’s breathtaking vista.

The iconic elements of Istanbul’s skyline are these ancient buildings. Regardless of their origin or intended use, they stand out among Istanbul’s historical treasures, and even today, the magnificence of these time-defying constructions inspires awe in those who witness them.

Although the Rumeli fortress may not be Istanbul’s most well-known tourist destination, the significance of its historical significance cannot be overstated.

It is situated on the European Bosphorus coastlines and is frequently viewed from a distance by cruise ships. Rumeli fortress is a medieval fortress, which is one of the striking sights of Istanbul.

Rumeli Fortress is located at a distance from the main sights of Istanbul, on the hill of the European part of the city on the shore of the Bosphorus Strait to the north of the famous elite Bebek district.

The fortress gives its name to the neighbourhood closest to it in the Sarıyer district. Here are the top 10 remarkable facts about the fortress.

1. Rumeli Fortress was built by the Ottoman Sultan Mehmet II

Portrait of Mehmed II (1432-1481), Sultan of the Ottoman Empire photo by Konstantin KapıdaÄŸlı –

Mehmet II, the Ottoman Sultan, constructed the Rumeli Fortress as he prepared to lay siege to Constantinople and take it from the Byzantines.

Sultan Mehmed II had observed how difficult it had been for his father to take Constantinople; a Byzantine fleet had completely blockaded the Bosphorus.

As soon as he took the throne, Mehmed started making preparations for a new offensive. To defend the city of Constantinople, the Byzantine Emperor Constantine XI planned to negotiate a diplomatic settlement with the Ottomans.

Mehmed, however, resisted peace and persisted with his siege strategies by erecting a sizable fortress. Mehmet, often known as Mehmet the Conqueror, finally succeeded in taking Constantinople in 1453.

2. Rumeli Fortress was initially called “BoÄŸazkesen”, literally meaning “Strait Cutter”

The fortress was originally known as “Boazkesen,” which translates as “Strait Cutter” about the Bosporus Strait. The name has a secondary, more macabre meaning in Turkish, as boÄŸaz meaning both “strait” and “throat.”

Later, it was renamed Rumelihisarı, which means “Fortress on the Land of the Romans,” referring to Byzantine Europe or the Balkan peninsula.

3. Rumeli Fortress was built on top of an old Roman fort

The Rumeli Hisari Fortress next to one of two bridges over the Bosphorus in Istanbul photo by
David Stanley –

Mehmed inscribed the Prophet Muhammad’s initials and his initials in goat blood on the first brick to signal the start of construction in 1452.

Built on top of an old Roman fort, the stronghold was initially known as “Bogazkesen,” which means “strait/throat cutter,” but was later given the new name “Rumelihisarı,” which means “Fortress on the Land of the Romans.”

Mehmed’s strategy worked since during the Ottomans’ final raid in 1453, help was kept from reaching Constantinople. After a 53-day siege, Constantinople fell in April of that year.

4. Rumeli Fortress was constructed to completion in only 4 months

While preparing for the conquest of Istanbul by Fatih Sultan Mehmet, was completed in a short period of 4 months to keep Istanbul safe from the dangers that may come from the Black Sea.

Over 3,000 people toiled to construct the Rumeli Fortress over a staggeringly short period of 4 months. Some historical sources state that 300 masters, 700-800 workers, 200 coachmen, boatmen and transporters worked to construct the fortress in this limited time.

The architect of the fortress is Muslihiddin AÄŸa, who was the head architect of Mehmed II.

5. It was designed to have three main towers and thirteen small watchtowers

The interior of the Zaganos Pasha Tower in the Rumeli hisarı fortress photo by Mustafa-trit20 –

Thirteen minor watchtowers are positioned on the walls connecting the three main towers, one small tower, and three big towers make up the fortress fortification.

Six watchtowers have multiple-cornered prism shapes, one is formed like a quadrangular prism, and the remaining six are cylindrical.

With a diameter of 23.30 m (76.4 ft.), walls that are 7 m (23 ft.) thick, and a total of 9 floors rising to a height of 28 m, Sarca Pasha Tower is the main tower in the north (92 ft.). Following Sultan Mehmed II’s cognomen, this tower is also known as the Fatih (“Conqueror”) Tower today.

Halil Pasha Tower, a large tower in the middle of the fortress, is a dodecagonal prism with nine stories. It has walls that are 6.50 m (21.3 ft.) thick, a diameter of 23.30 m (76.4 ft.), and a height of 22 m (72 ft.).

Only 8 stories make up Zaanos Pasha Tower, the main tower in the south. This cylindrical tower has walls that are 5.70 m (18.7 ft.) thick, a diameter of 26.70 m (87.6 ft.), and a height of 21 meters (69 feet).

Each tower’s interior was separated into sections by wooden floors, and each section had a furnace. The towers were originally covered in conical wooden roofs that were covered in lead, but these are no longer there.

6. The Fortress had housing for Ottoman soldiers

Three mantled fountains, a mosque, troop housing, food cellars, and a fortress were all features of the fortress. The Fortress housed at least 400 Ottoman soldiers.

7. It served as a customs checkpoint and occasional prison

Rumeli Hisari During siege water is of the essence, hence there was a cistern photo by Dosseman –

After the Ottoman conquest of the city, it served as a checkpoint and occasional prison, notably for the embassies of states that were at war with the Empire.

After Constanipole’s fall, the fortress served as a customs checkpoint, losing its strategic significance when another pair of towers were built further upriver. During the 17th century, the Rumeli Fortress was used as a prison for prisoners of war.

8. It was partly destroyed by an earthquake in 1509

It was partially destroyed by an earthquake in 1509, but it was quickly rebuilt. A fire in 1746 destroyed all of the wooden portions of two of the main towers.

Sultan Selim III(1761–1807) renovated the fortress. However, after the stronghold was abandoned in the nineteenth century, a new residential neighbourhood was constructed within it.

9. The fortress was depicted on various Turkish banknotes

From 1939 through 1986, the fortress was represented on different Turkish banknotes.

10. Rumelihisarı has been a museum and an open-air theatre

Turkish breakfast in Rumelihisarı, Istanbul photo by Jwslubbock –

In the nineteenth century, a neighbourhood was formed inside the fortress with its houses, mosques, shops, and so on. However, in 1953, on the orders of President Celal Bayar, the inhabitants were relocated and extensive restoration work began on 16 May 1955, which lasted until 29 May 1958.

Since 1960 Rumeli Fortress functioned as a museum and this magnificent fortress is open to the public as an open-air museum. Rumelihisarı has been a museum and an open-air theatre for various concerts at festivals during the summer months.