Journey through history with a lantern in the dungeons of Yedikule Fortress
Located in Fatih, Istanbul, which gave its name to the neighborhood where it is located today, its foundations were laid during the Roman period. Yedikule DungeonsIt was built by Theodosius II not as a dungeon but to welcome the kings and members of foreign palaces who came to the city in a magnificent manner. The structure, which had 4 towers and passed from the Eastern Roman Empire to the Ottoman Empire with the conquest of Istanbul, was turned into a fortress with seven towers by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1458 by adding three more towers, named Top, Inscriptions and the 3rd Ahmet Tower. .
Again, during the reign of Mehmed the Conqueror, a garrison was created here after the towers were connected to each other, with walls built between them. Thus, the historical structures of the two great empires were integrated into one. In the fortress, which has now attained its current appearance by taking the name Yedikule, a structure with seven towers named Young Osman, Ammunition, Ahmet III, Treasury, Dungeon, Cannon and Flag was created.
The fortress, where the treasure of the Ottoman Empire was kept in the Treasury tower from the reign of Fatih the Conqueror to the reign of Murat III, was also used as a prison for 3.5 centuries.
TWO TOWERS OF THE CITATION WERE USED AS PRISONS
Prisoners of war were imprisoned in the Zindan tower, one of the two towers of the fortress used as prisons, and statesmen and army members were imprisoned in the Young Osman tower. The fortress, which was damaged by earthquakes in the 15th and 17th centuries, took its current form of 6 towers together with the towers built during the Ottoman Empire, as one of the 4 towers built by the Eastern Roman Empire collapsed.
Although the Citadel was also the first barracks area established after the conquest of Istanbul, it was severely damaged by a fire in the mid-18th century. The fortress, which was used for various purposes by the empires that ruled Istanbul, now hosts the cultural events of Fatih Municipality.
During the night tour organized by the municipality with a professional guide, visitors are given lanterns as the weather gets dark. After the tour starts, you are given a tour of the 7 towers of the fortress, Young Osman and Zindan towers, and a presentation is made about the history of the fortress. Visitors visiting the Young Osman Tower with lanterns in their hands have the opportunity to climb the walls and take photos. The fortress, which is the subject of many songs, is also preferred in TV series and movie shootings.
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The Yedikule Dungeons, located in Fatih, Istanbul, have a rich history dating back to the Roman period. Originally built by Theodosius II, the structure was intended to welcome foreign royals in a grand manner. Over time, it transitioned from a structure with 4 towers to a fortress with seven towers, incorporating both Eastern Roman and Ottoman influence.
Throughout its history, the fortress served various purposes, including housing the Ottoman Empire’s treasury and functioning as a prison for 3.5 centuries. Two of the towers, Zindan and Young Osman, were specifically used as prisons where prisoners of war and statesmen were held.
Despite enduring damage from earthquakes and a fire, the fortress has been preserved and now hosts cultural events for the Fatih Municipality. Visitors can take a night tour of the fortress, led by a professional guide and equipped with lanterns to explore the seven towers and learn about its history. The fortress has also been featured in TV series and movie shootings.
