Yedikule Museum Travel Guide: Mysteries of the Seven Tower Dungeons & Fortress

Istanbul Yedikule Citadel and Dungeon currently museum, an architectural wonder whose origins date back to the Byzantine period. Constructed initially in 413 AD under the auspices of Emperor Theodosius II, Yedikule's first tower laid the groundwork for what would become a formidable fortress and prison complex, rich in history and intrigue. This initial construction marked the beginning of Yedikule's long-standing legacy as a key strategic and penal site throughout the centuries.

The expansion of the fortress under Theodosius II's successor introduced four towering observation posts, significantly enhancing the structure's defensive capabilities and its role within the Byzantine Empire. However, it was the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople that heralded a new era for Yedikule. The visionary Fatih Sultan Mehmet recognized the importance of further fortifying the city's defenses, resulting in the addition of three more towers by 1457. This expansion not only solidified Yedikule's strategic importance but also gave it the iconic seven-towered silhouette recognized globally today.

Throughout the Byzantine period, Yedikule functioned as a critical site for both incarceration and execution, its four-story tower becoming synonymous with the dark allure of the fortress's dungeons. With the dawn of the Ottoman era, Yedikule's purpose evolved to encompass a broader range of functions. It served not only as a prison and execution site but also as a treasury warehouse, ammunition depot, barn, and garden storage, showcasing the adaptability and enduring significance of the fortress through changing times.

Names and Histories of the Seven Iconic Towers

Known as the "Fortress of Seven Towers," Yedikule has captivated the imaginations of historians, architects, and tourists alike with its imposing structure and fascinating history. Each tower, unique in its name and purpose, tells a story of a bygone era, offering insights into the architectural and historical significance of this magnificent citadel.

Young Osman Tower: Named after Osman II, this tower echoes the tragic tale of a young sultan whose life and reign were cut short, encapsulating a moment of Ottoman history within its walls.
Armory Tower: Serving as a crucial storehouse for weapons and armaments, the Armory Tower played a vital role in the defense mechanisms of the fortress, safeguarding the arsenal that protected the city.
III. Ahmet Tower (Pastorama Tower): Bearing the name of Sultan Ahmet III, this tower is also known as the Pastorama Tower, offering a panoramic vista of Istanbul's historical peninsula, and bridging the city's past and present.
Treasure Tower (Millet Tower): A repository for treasures and valuable artifacts, the Treasure Tower, or Millet Tower, stood as a symbol of the empire's wealth and prosperity, guarding the riches accumulated over centuries.
Dungeon Tower (Inscriptions Tower): This tower, marked by inscriptions, served as a grim reminder of its role as a prison and execution site, holding within its walls tales of despair and historical significance.
Ball Tower (Girls' Tower): Though shrouded in mystery and various legends, the Ball Tower, also known as the Girls' Tower, adds a layer of intrigue and folklore to the fortress's storied past.
Flag Tower: Standing tall and proud, the Flag Tower was a beacon of power and sovereignty, where flags were hoisted to proclaim victory, dominance, and the enduring spirit of the city.
Together, these seven towers of Yedikule Fortress offer a journey through time, from their strategic roles in defense and incarceration to their significance as symbols of power and authority. 

As we continue our exploration of the captivating Yedikule Museum, we now delve into the pages of the Ottoman period, an era marked by conquest, consolidation, and the safeguarding of treasures. Yedikule, with its historic fortress, played a pivotal role in preserving the legacy of this time.

The Ottoman Conquest and Yedikule's Transformation

With the triumphant Ottoman conquest of Istanbul in 1453, sweeping changes transformed the cityscape. Ottoman rulers settled newcomers, stretching from the shores of the Golden Horn to Topkapı and Yedikule. During this transformative period, Fatih Sultan Mehmet, the conqueror of Istanbul, left an indelible mark on Yedikule. In 1458, he undertook the construction of the Yedikule Fortress as an inner castle. This fortress held immense significance, serving as the repository for the wealth and valuables of Turkish rulers. Within the walls of Yedikule Fortress, a trove of treasures found their sanctuary. One tower held gold bullion and currency, while another safeguarded ancient and precious artifacts and official documents. Yet another tower secured the spoils brought back by Yavuz Sultan Selim from Iran. Between 1458 and 1789, the state treasury, known as the Treasury-i Hümayun, found its residence here, before being relocated to the palace during the reign of Sultan Murad.

The Enigmatic Yedikule Dungeons

The heart of intrigue within Yedikule is its dungeons, nestled within the southern pylon, often referred to as the "Bloody Well." These chambers have borne witness to countless historic events. It is recorded that Çandarlı Halil Pasha and his sons were among the initial prisoners confined within these walls following the city's conquest. Subsequently, the last emperor of the Trabzon Greek Empire, David Komnenos, joined Ottoman territories in 1461, and his sons met their fate in the depths of the Yedikule fortress (dungeon) in 1463.

Notable Inmates of Yedikule Dungeons

Among the many individuals imprisoned in the Yedikule dungeons, one figure stands out prominently in history: Sultan II. Osman, also known as Young Osman. In 1622, Sultan II. Osman was dethroned, making way for the ascent of II. Mustafa. After the coronation ceremony at Topkapı Palace, Grand Vizier Davut Pasha, Janissary Agha Derviş Ağa, and their associates transported Sultan Osman to the Yedikule dungeon in a market cart. In a fateful midnight encounter, Osman resisted his captors but met his tragic end within the fortress walls. The Yedikule Museum, with its dungeons and fortress, offers a unique window into the tumultuous chapters of the Ottoman era. Each stone and chamber bears witness to a rich history of power, intrigue, and transformation, preserving the legacy of a bygone time for generations to come.

The Magnificent Altinkapi and the Birth of the Seven Towers

Standing as the crowning jewel of the Byzantine walls, which stretched an impressive 22 kilometers, Altinkapi holds a special place in history. Positioned at the starting point of the ancient Constantinople-Roman road, this site was marked by a remarkable event in 388 AD. Emperor Theodosius I, in commemoration of his victory over the rebellious Clemens Maxim on the Adriatic coast, ordered the construction of an imposing "Victory Arch." This arch, reaching a towering height of 8 meters, stands as a triumphal monument in its own right, a solitary witness to history. Named "Porto Aurea" by the Byzantines, meaning "Beautiful Gate," Altinkapi was adorned with statues of Hercules, depictions of Prometheus's torture, representations of Theodosius the Great, a grand cross, and victory-themed reliefs. Regrettably, the ravages of time, including earthquakes and storms during the reigns of Leon of Isaavia and Justinian, claimed the statues and the cross. Subsequently, Emperor Theodosius I placed his own statue upon the gate, leaving an indelible mark on its history.

Traces of the Past: Torture Boards and Roman Inscriptions

Within the dungeons, traces of the past are etched into the walls, where death row prisoners left their mark. The "Torture Board" from the Byzantine era, used to secure the tortured, still bears scars from a tumultuous history. Nails, machetes, and lines remain as a testament to the suffering endured. Bullet holes, added during the Balkan War and the occupation of Istanbul by foreign soldiers, tell a tale of conflict and transformation.

The Canon Tower: Witness to Fire and Warfare

The Canon Tower, its wooden floors consumed by flames, bears the scars of a tumultuous past. Originally a dungeon like the others, it earned its name when cannons were stationed within its walls after the conquest.

The Watch Tower: Guardian of the Sea

Closest to the Sea of Marmara, the Watch Tower, though partly collapsed, served as the first line of defense against sea-borne threats. During its tenure as a prison, vigilant guards kept a watchful eye to prevent any escape attempts.

Armory Tower: Where Arsenal Meets Dungeon

Opposite the Young Osman Tower, the Armory Tower once housed weaponry but later shared the fate of its fellow towers, serving as a dungeon during both Byzantine and Ottoman periods.

The 3rd Ahmet Tower: A Tower Reborn

Originally known as the Pastroma Tower in Byzantine times, it underwent an octagonal reconstruction during the reign of Sultan III. Ahmet, completed during the time of Osman. It features a stone cross and an inscription reading "MashaAllahu Teala."

The Treasure Tower: Guardian of Wealth and Secrets

Also known as the Millet Tower, the Treasure Tower became the Ottoman state treasury after the conquest. Within these walls, the Treasury-i Hümayun held invaluable state treasures and important documents until the era of Sultan Murat.

As we wander through the Yedikule Museum, each tower and dungeon echoes with the whispers of history, offering a mesmerizing glimpse into the past. It is a place where legends intertwine with reality, and where the artifacts and stories held within continue to captivate visitors from around the world.

These dungeons, located among the imposing walls of Yedikule, contain countless legends that stimulate imagination and arouse curiosity. From the haunting story of a pagan prisoner's curse to the enigmatic legends of hidden treasures and ghostly apparitions, Yedikule's past is a labyrinth of myths waiting to be explored.

One such legend tells of a stoic pagan captive, subjected to relentless torture within these ancient walls, who, with his dying breath, uttered a curse in a language reminiscent of ancient Latin. This curse is said to have trapped the souls of the tortured, their cries still echoing through the dungeons, a chilling testament to the fortress's haunted history.

Yedikule's storied past is further enriched by its varied roles throughout history, from serving as an impromptu zoo housing lions from the Topkapı Palace to functioning as the Girls' Art House, demonstrating the fortress's versatility and significance in meeting societal needs across centuries.

The legend of the imprisonment of ambassadors during times of conflict adds another layer to Yedikule's mystique, symbolizing power and dominance. Similarly, tales of a hidden Sultan's treasure within one of the towers have fueled countless adventures, drawing treasure hunters to its doors in hopes of uncovering the secrets of the empire's wealth.

The dungeons' reputation as a site of ghostly encounters and the execution ground for Ottoman princes and deposed sultans paints a picture of a place marked by sorrow and darkness. This practice, part of the "rule of fratricide," was designed to quell internal strife but has left an indelible mark on the fortress's legacy.

Among the most captivating of Yedikule's legends is the tale of Byzantine Emperor Constantine XI's survival, a story that challenges historical accounts of the fall of Constantinople and suggests a secret chapter in the emperor's life, imprisoned within the fortress's walls

For those eager to explore the mysteries and history of Yedikule Museum, we invite you to complete a reservation form by clicking here before embarking on your visit.

Discover the Enigmatic Beauty of Yedikule Fortress Museum. Immerse yourself in the historical splendor of the Yedikule Dungeons (Yedikule Fortress Museum) in Istanbul, a monumental site with seven iconic towers: Ahmet Tower, Armory Tower, Flag Tower, and Cannon Tower, among others. This fortress, rich in history and architectural marvels, welcomes visitors to explore its ancient walls and towers, each telling a story of centuries past.

General Visiting Hours

Open Days: The Yedikule Fortress Museum is accessible to the public every day, except for Mondays, allowing ample opportunity for visitors to delve into its historical depths.
Hours: Visitors can explore the museum from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, ensuring a leisurely and comprehensive experience of the site's offerings.
Admission Fees: General Admission: Entrance to the Yedikule Fortress Museum is free of charge, inviting everyone to partake in the exploration of its historical treasures without a fee. 

Yedikule Day Tours 

Registration: Interested participants need to register via a form for the free guided tours available on Saturdays and Sundays. Each tour accommodates 45 people, ensuring a personalized and informative experience.
Tour Schedule: Prospective visitors must arrive at the Yedikule Fortress 20 minutes before their registered session begins, ready for an insightful journey through history.
Fees for Unregistered Participants: For those attending without prior registration, the participation fee is set at 50 TL for students, 100 TL for locals, and 200 TL for foreigners, making it an accessible cultural outing for all. 

Yedikule History Night Tours 

An Evening of History: The fortress offers a unique "Historical Experience with Nostalgic Lantern" every evening, providing a mesmerizing tour of the 1600-year-old site.
Age Restriction: These night tours are available to participants over the age of 18, ensuring an adult audience for these special sessions.
Tour Timings: Two sessions are available each evening from 20:30 – 21:30 and 21:30 – 22:30, allowing visitors to experience the fortress under the cover of night.
Transportation Post-Tour: At the conclusion of the tour, transportation is provided from Yedikule Fortress to Yenikapı Marmaray and Fatih Municipality, adding convenience to the experience.
Reservation Required: All fortress tours require prior reservation, with sessions opened on a weekly basis to ensure availability.