Where is the yedikule fortress in istanbul? What is the history of yedikule fortress? What are the opening hours of yedikkule fortress?
In order to welcome the foreign guests of the state ostentatiously, Theodosius I built a gate called “Golden Gate” to the city walls in 390. After the conquest of Istanbul, a wall with three towers was added to this gate by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror, and in this way, “Yedikule Fortress” took its current form.
The names of the seven towers, which gave the fortress its name, are as follows: Northern Pylon Tower, South Pylon Tower, Tower of the Inscriptions, Top Tower, Sultan Ahmed III Tower, Tower of Treasury, and Flag Tower.
After the conquest of Istanbul, Yedikule Fortress was used for a long period as a citadel where state treasury and state archives were kept. It became famous as being a prison for important local and foreign prisoners. The most important statesmen of the time such as Sultan Osman II, Emperor of Trebizond David Komnenos and his sons, and Mehmet Giray Khan of Crimean Khanate were imprisoned in these towers.
The Fortress was restored extensively between 1958 and 1970, and today it is used as a place to organize various cultural activities. You can visit Yedikule Fortress between 09.30 and 16.30 any day of the week except Mondays.
Source: Harun Kırkıl, Read About and Travel Around ISTANBUL, Erkam Publications