Anatolian Fortress

Anadoluhisari or Anadolu Castle is a fortress located on the Asian side of Istanbul and give its name to the quarter around it. It was built in 1390’s as part of Beyazit I. preparations of Costantinople seige in 1395. It stands at the narrowest point of the Bosphorus (660 metre) just opposite the Rumeli Castle in order to control over the sea traffic of the Bosphorus. But it is smaller in size when compared with Rumelihisari ( 7.000 m2). The Anatolian castle is pretty little fortress was named “Guzelce Hisar” means “Pretty” or “Charming” in historical documents.

Anadoluhisari is a small castle erected as a watch tower and is approximately 25 meters high, 2 meters thick wall. It is consisting of a keep and its sorrounding wall together with an outer wall guarded by three towers but outer wall partly demolished. There is a masjid in the fortress. The castle is the oldest Turkish architectural structure built in Istanbul.

The castle was restored in 1991 – 1993 by Turkish Ministry of Culture. Today, the castle with the old wooden houses leaning to its walls and its surroundings have a picturesque view. From the streets that borders the castle can be seen the breathtaking view of Rumelihisari and Bosphorus. Anadolu Hisari is an open air museum but only outer walls can be visited today.

Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, spanning Bosphorus is located just on the north of the Anatolian castle and Goksu creek on the south.

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