Kuleli Military High School

How to Visit Kuleli Military High School

Turkish people are very patriotic. They love their country, and they love their flag. This is a wonderful thing to experience, and when visiting Istanbul you can’t help but become swept up in the feeling of true pride. One spot which is certainly a window to patriotism and history is Kuleli Military High School, on the Asian side of the Istanbul.

We should point out that you can’t visit the building on the inside, but you can look upon it from the outside, admire the architecture, and learn about the history. That really is enough to give you a true highlight of your day.

What is Kuleli Military High School?

Founded in September 1845, Kuleli Military High School is the oldest military school in the whole country, and is a building of true historical importance and interest. These days, the building falls under the remit of the Istanbul Technical University. In its earliest days however, the building was designed by an architect of Ottoman Armenian roots, based Garabet Balyan. You only have to look upon the building to see the time and effort that went into the design.

Whilst you can’t go inside, as we’ve mentioned, you can see the grandeur, but you can also see the patriotism. Flags adorn every corner of the building, and the pride at representing your country spills out onto the exterior of the building. Whether you come from Turkey originally or not, it’s a really special feeling to experience on your visit to Istanbul.

The History of Kuleli Military High School, And It’s Associated Schools

Kuleli Military High School wasn’t the only one back in history. By the year 1868, there were actually four more of its kind, which eventually became combined into one and services were transferred over to another building, named Galatasaray Barracks. This didn’t work out after a few years, and the schools separated once more and followed their own system from that time onwards.

Of course, there has been many conflicts arising in Turkish history, and during one such time, the Russian-Turkish War, the school was used as a hospital. This was during 1877, and for that time the school facilities had to be transferred to another spot, over in Pangalti. Following the war, everything transferred back to its original spot.

Then came the Balkan War. During this time, the school became an orphanage, and then another hospital. All of this really gives Kuleli Military High School a special feel, because even standing outside its perimeter gates, you can feel the history and the events it has faced over the years. It tells you the story of the struggles that have occurred during not only the history in Istanbul, but in the whole of Turkey. Yet, it still stands.

During the World War 1, the school was moved several times, then became a regular high school, and then transferred back to a military school with the current name in 1925. Of course, then came World War II! Again, the school became a hospital, before finally settling on the military school once more as the war ended. From that time, the school became renowned for educating students to be academically gifted, as well as military trained.

How to Visit Kuleli Military High School

If you want to feel the atmosphere and gaze upon the stunning architecture then you can do so, but only from the outside. The school is on the Asian side of the city, so you will need to transfer from the European side via either ferry or Marmaray as the quickest option. Yes, you can take the bus over the bridge, but you’re going to run into traffic.

From Uskudar’s Marmaray Station, jump on the 15T bus to Kuleli. From Kadikoy, take the 14M bus to the same destination. There are a couple of other options, but these are the easiest in terms of getting from A to B, and you’ll also get to see Uskudar or Kadikoy at the same time. These are both interesting and beautiful districts of Istanbul, and will show you a distantly different feel to what you’ll experience over on the European side.

Kadikoy has some fantastic shopping and restaurants to explore, and Uskudar will show you some of the best sunsets you’ll ever set your eyes on. Walk along the edge of the Bosphorus to the waterfront tea gardens, sit on the cushions and wait for the show to begin! That orange glow will captivate you, for sure.