The Anatolian Castle

A Visit to Anatolian Castle is a Must

If you happen to be on the Asian side of Istanbul, a visit to Anatolian Castle should be on your daily list. Despite the fact that Anatolian Castle is one of the smaller fortresses int he city, it still has plenty to treat visitors to a historic and cultural time, whilst also being free to go inside!

Anatolian Castle was completed in 1394, ordered to be built by Sultan Bayezid I, of the Ottoman Empire. Of course, during that time, all manner of invasions were taking place, with the strategic position of Istanbul a true selling point for incoming invaders. The difference in reason for this fortress being built however wasn’t just about look outs and protection, but also in order for the Sultan’s own army to pass between Asia and Europe without restriction or problems. This was also one of the first fortresses built during the Ottoman’s reign, which makes it a major pull for history buffs

Where is Anatolian Castle?

Located on the Asian side of the Bosphorus, Anatolian Castle sits on the most narrow point of the Bosphorus. The fortress sits on what was once a temple dedicated to Zeus, King of the Gods according to Greek Mythology. You can easily reach the castle via the public transport, and depending upon traffic you should be able to reach Beykoz, the area the fortress is located, in around half an hour from Kadikoy. The fortress is referred to as ‘Anadoluhisari’ in Turkish, so simply look out for the signs, which are brown in colour for tourist attractions of note.

The good news is that Anatolian Castle is open daily, although it is now considered an open air museum.This means that the main road actually runs through the castle, making it a little noisy during peak travelling hours, and you can only visit the outer walls. Restrictions aside, the view and the feel of history all around you is enough to trap you inside its historic wonder.

Anatolian Castle Back in The Day

During its glory days, Anatolian Castle covered around 1.7 acres of space, which is still smaller than Rumelihisari, which stands on the European side of the Bosphorus, and is considered one of the largest fortresses in Istanbul overall. Just north of the castle you will be able to see the second bridge over the Bosphorus, the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, which often serves visitors to the city from Sabiha Gokcen Airport, over to the European side of Istanbul.

The castle is still very well preserved, so you can get a true feel of how it might have looked when it was newly built. The towers stand a huge 82 feet in height, and are around 16 feet maximum thickness in places. You might actually see the Anatolian Castle referred to as ‘Guzelce Hisar’ also, but they are one and the same thing.

The central tower is square, and the walls are set in a pentagon pattern, featuring watchtowers on each edge. Put simply, Anatolian Castle is a great example of typical Turkish architecture of the time, and one of the oldest around.

Of course, due to earthquakes, weather, invasions and age, the fortress took a few hits over the years, and it has been restored as a result, most notably in 1993. Nowadays you will be able to see old wooden houses along the walls of the fortress, giving you a window into how life was during the early Ottoman reign.

As with many Istanbul fortresses, Anatolian Castle changed purpose after the Ottoman Empire fell, and briefly changed to a military prison, before becoming the open air museum we all know and love today.

Remember Your Camera

Of course, any sight in Istanbul requires plenty of pictures, but this one especially, as the view over the Bosphorus, right up to the Marmara Sea is fantastic, and on a clear day you can see for miles. You will also be able to see Rumeli Fortress, on the opposite side of the Bosphorus Strait.

After you have walked around the Anatolian Castle and taken in all the history which oozes from every brick and stone, be sure to continue walking along the waterside. The view will continue to thrill you, and you’ll be able to take plenty for photos for your collection. If you keep on walking, you’ll hit Kanlica, where you can sit and watch the world go by with a tea or coffee.

For history lovers and those who love a good view, Anatolian Castle is a must visit.