Rumeli Fortress Museum Ticket
Mehmed II built this fortress in 1452 at the narrowest point of the Bosphorus, directly opposite an existing Ottoman fort on the Asian shore. Between them they could close the strait to shipping.
- At the gate
- £5.95
- Allow
- 1h 30m
- District
- Closed
- Open daily
Rumeli Fortress, in short
Mehmed II built this fortress in 1452 at the narrowest point of the Bosphorus, directly opposite an existing Ottoman fort on the Asian shore. Between them they could close the strait to shipping.
It went up in four months. The purpose was simple: cut Constantinople off from Black Sea supply before the siege began. The city fell the following year.
What it costs
Walk-up entry is u20ac7. Included on the pass.
Getting there
It is up the European shore at Rumeli Hisaru0131, below the second Bosphorus bridge. Buses run along the coast road from Kabatau015f, or take a taxi. It also makes a good stop on a Bosphorus cruise.
How long to allow
An hour. The walls and towers are climbable and the views up and down the strait are the best part u2014 bring shoes with grip, as the steps are steep, uneven and largely without rails.
Why it worked
The Turkish name is Bou011fazkesen u2014 'throat-cutter', or 'strait-cutter', depending on how you read it. Cannon mounted here could reach any ship in the channel, and the first vessel that tried to run the blockade was sunk as a demonstration.
Frequently asked questions
- u20ac7 at the door, and free with the pass.
- Sultan Mehmed II, in 1452, in preparation for the siege of Constantinople.
- About four months u2014 extraordinarily fast for a fortress of that size.
- The grounds are steep and the tower steps are uneven with few handrails. Sensible footwear helps, and it is not ideal for limited mobility.