Built in four months
An exceptional speed for its size, and one year before the conquest.
CC BY-SA 3.0 · flowcomm — CC BY 2.0 · Hamdigumus — CC0 · Mostafameraji — CC BY 3.0
A fortress on the European shore of the Bosphorus at the strait's narrowest point, built by Mehmed the Conqueror in preparation for taking Constantinople. The purpose was specifically military: to cut the city's sea supply from the north. Mehmed built it in 1452 in only four months — an exceptional speed for a structure of that size — and placed cannon in it commanding the strait. With the Anatolian fortress opposite on the Asian shore, the Bosphorus was closed, which is why it was called Boğazkesen: the strait-cutter. Constantinople fell the following year. What stands today is walls, three massive towers and stone terraces climbing the slope, with a view from the top along the Bosphorus and its suspension bridge. The site is steep and rough: a great deal of uneven stone stair with no handrail in places, and it does not suit anyone with difficulty moving. It lies well north of central Istanbul and needs a bus or ferry — count it as a half day with the journey.
An exceptional speed for its size, and one year before the conquest.
With the fortress opposite it closed the Bosphorus and cut the city's supply.
The view from the walls runs along the strait and its suspension bridge.
Sarıyer, on the European shore of the Bosphorus
North of Istanbul on the European shore. Buses run from Beşiktaş along the coast road, about forty minutes depending on traffic. The finer alternative is the Bosphorus ferry, which passes alongside it — some services stop nearby. Allow a full half day.
The view and the fortress appeal to them, but the site is relatively hazardous with small children: rough stone stairs and high edges without barriers in places. With older children it is fine with attention; with very young ones think twice, or stay on the lower levels.
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