Description of the attraction
Anatolian Fortress (Anadoluhisar) is a small fortress located in the Asian part of Istanbul on the shores of the Bosphorus Strait opposite Andoluhisara, near the town of Asomaty, where the Byzantine prisons were located. This fortress is considered the oldest building of Turkish architecture in Istanbul. To the north of this fortress is the viaduct of Sultan Memed Fatih.
Anadoluhisar was built on the initiative of Sultan Bayazid the First during one of the sieges of the city in 1393 and was intended for the siege of Constantinople. The fortress is located on an area of 7000 square meters in the narrowest part of the Bosphorus (only 660 meters wide). Later, the Anatolian fortress was fortified by Sultan Mehmed II, who made such a decision to block the Bosphorus and thereby block Constantinople from the north. In 1452, opposite Anadoluhisar, a new fortress, Rumelihisar, was built, and all sea traffic through the Bosphorus after that was under the absolute control of the Ottoman Empire. The Bosphorus itself was especially important to the Genoese in Galata, who were allies of the Byzantines and had colonies on the Black Sea such as Kafa, Sinop and Amasra.
The Anatolian fortress was also used as an observation post. Three watchtowers were built around the fortress. Due to these changes, it did not retain its original appearance. With the fall of Constantinople, the fortress turned into a prison.
Initially, the fortress was called "Guzelje Hisar" and was located on the closest coastal area. Its size was slightly smaller than the Rumeli fortress on the opposite bank. The construction of the fortress was widespread and greatly removed it from the sea coast. Around the fortress, there are a large number of summer villas that belonged to prominent statesmen and military officials of the Ottoman Empire. In the next part of the Bosphorus, there are mainly modern residential areas and fishing villages where you can enjoy fresh fish and other seafood. By the way, Western residents call the Goksu and Kukuksu rivers, flowing nearby, nothing else but the "Sweet Waters of Asia".
Every detail of this grandiose structure amazes with its highest craftsmanship and grace. You can enter the territory of the fortress through an entrance located not far from the roadway. A beautiful garden leads to the main entrance, through which tourists and guests of the city can enter the spacious hall, and then into the living room, where they used to receive visitors. The main staircase is a majestic and truly breathtaking sight. Not far from it is a large kitchen with a lovely dining room and bar, perfect for dinner parties or parties in a sophisticated atmosphere. A stunning view opens from the living room on the ground floor to the waters of the Bosphorus. All windows are framed with beautiful wooden shutters. The surprisingly spacious bedroom is complemented by two dressing rooms (male and female) and a bathroom. Located to the right of the stairs, the other two bedrooms are also striking in their size. The top floor apartment is a studio type room with a private bathroom, living room and kitchen. It will not be superfluous to note the fact that all the windows of the bedrooms also overlook the Bosphorus. The basement has been specially equipped for entertainment and relaxation. There are game rooms and a massive billiard table. From this room you can get into a cozy home theater. To the right of the stairs is the laundry room and the central heating room. There is also a bathroom and a small kitchen.
The unique location in the heart of the Bosphorus and the truly royal luxury of this palace makes this place a valuable find even for the most demanding tourists. In 1991-1993 the fortress was restored and transformed into a museum closed to the general public.
