Open Air Museums

Anatolian Fortress

Sultan Bayezit I the fortress it was built by at the end of the 14th century on the city's Anatolian shores. Also called the Guzelce fortress, it is rather small in comparison to the Rumeli fortress on the opposite shore.
The Göksu and Kucuksu rivers nearby are called the "Sweet Waters of Asia" by the Westerners.
Not open to visitors.

Rumeli Fortress

This fortress was built by Fatih Sultan Mehmet (the Conqueror) to stop any help that could possibly reach Byzantium coming from the West. Construction work was started a year before Fatih put a siege on the city and was completed in just four months. The plan was drawn to adjust perfectly to the uneven hills surrounding the area.
As the three towers of the fortress were built on order of the three grand viziers of Sultan Mehmet, they bear their names: Halil Pasha, Zaganos Pasha and Sarica Pasha.
Closed Monday.
Tel: (0212) 263 5305

Yedikule

The Yedikule (Seven Towers) city gate is located along the 5,632 meter-long land walls, which start at the end of the sea walls. It is one of the main entrances to the city. Over the gate, there is the double-headed eagle of Byzantium. Inside Yedikule is another imposing gate, built in 390 by Theodosius I as the arch of victory for the commanders returning home from victorious battle. It was later turned into one of the fortress gates after Theodosius II added the new city walls to the old ones. The Byzantines called this gate Porta Aurea (golden gate). After the conquest, the Turks added new fortress which formed an independent castle and gave it the name Yedikule. The Ottoman Treasury was kept in this tower for a while, and it was turned into a prison for political prisoners in later times. Only the ruins of the minaret of the mosque which was built for the guardians can be seen today. The ruins of the amphitheater also remain.
Open daily.
Tel: (0212) 263 3505