Before Istanbul was conquered by Mehmet II many times it was besieged but each time the strong Roman city walls, not allowed to be conquered. Before siege of Istanbul, Mehmet II constructed Rumeli Fortress just opposite an earlier castle which was construted by Beyazit I in 1390, on the Asian side to prevent the aid come from Balck sea. The fortress was completed in a very short time of four months in 1452 just a year before the city was conquered by Mehmet II. The fortress is a very fine example of Ottoman military architecture.

The fortress was restored in the 1953, in connecting with the celebration of the five hundredth anniversary of the conquest of the city, turned into a museum. In summer time, during the annual Istanbul Festival of Arts, the fortress is used as an amphitheater. The best view of fortres can be seen from the Asian shore or from the boats on the Bosphorus.

Rumeli Fortress on Google Maps

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