Yoros Castle

Yoros Castle, locally known as Yoros Kalesi, lies on a hill next to the village of Anadolu Kavağı, on the Asian side of the Bosphorus Strait in the province of Istanbul in Turkey.

Yoros Castle was probably first built during the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos, in the 2nd part of the 13th century. Together with a, now disappeared, castle on the opposite side of the Bosphorus at Rumeli Kavağı, it served to control the maritime traffic through the strait. It is possible that between the 2 sites a massive chain could be extended to cut off the strait to enemy ships coming from the Black Sea.

In 1305 the castle was taken by Ottoman forces for the first time but quickly retaken by the Byzantines. In 1391 it was retaken by the Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I while preparing for a siege of Constantinople. He then made the castle his field headquarters during the construction of Anadoluhisarı Castle, more to the south. The Byzantines attempted to take back Yoros Castle in 1399, but failed. The Ottomans then kept control of the castle until 1414, then it was taken by the Genoese.

Upon the conquest of Constantinople in 1453 by Sultan Mehmed II, the presence of the Genoese at such a strategic fortification posed a threat to the new Ottoman capital. So, soon after, Mehmed drove the Genoese out. The 40-year occupation of the Genoese did give the castle is present moniker of 'Genoese Castle'. The Ottomans then repaired and strengthened the walls, and constructed a customs office, quarantine, and check point, as well as placing a garrison of troops there.

In the mid-18th century Sultan Osman III had Yoros Castle refortified and Sultan Abdul Hamid I added several watchtowers to the castle. After this, it gradually fell into disrepair. By the time of the Turkish Republic, the castle was no longer used.

The castle has an irregular ground plan with an upper and lower castle. The area of the lower castle is still military terrain, proof of the strategic importance of the location.

At present Yoros Castle can be visited but only the exterior of the upper castle, entrances to its interior are closed off with metal gates. Too bad, because this is a very nice castle on a great location.

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Yoros Castle

Yoros Castle, locally known as Yoros Kalesi, lies on a hill next to the village of Anadolu Kavağı, on the Asian side of the Bosphorus Strait in the province of Istanbul in Turkey.

Yoros Castle was probably first built during the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos, in the 2nd part of the 13th century. Together with a, now disappeared, castle on the opposite side of the Bosphorus at Rumeli Kavağı, it served to control the maritime traffic through the strait. It is possible that between the 2 sites a massive chain could be extended to cut off the strait to enemy ships coming from the Black Sea.

In 1305 the castle was taken by Ottoman forces for the first time but quickly retaken by the Byzantines. In 1391 it was retaken by the Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I while preparing for a siege of Constantinople. He then made the castle his field headquarters during the construction of Anadoluhisarı Castle, more to the south. The Byzantines attempted to take back Yoros Castle in 1399, but failed. The Ottomans then kept control of the castle until 1414, then it was taken by the Genoese.

Upon the conquest of Constantinople in 1453 by Sultan Mehmed II, the presence of the Genoese at such a strategic fortification posed a threat to the new Ottoman capital. So, soon after, Mehmed drove the Genoese out. The 40-year occupation of the Genoese did give the castle is present moniker of 'Genoese Castle'. The Ottomans then repaired and strengthened the walls, and constructed a customs office, quarantine, and check point, as well as placing a garrison of troops there.

In the mid-18th century Sultan Osman III had Yoros Castle refortified and Sultan Abdul Hamid I added several watchtowers to the castle. After this, it gradually fell into disrepair. By the time of the Turkish Republic, the castle was no longer used.

The castle has an irregular ground plan with an upper and lower castle. The area of the lower castle is still military terrain, proof of the strategic importance of the location.

At present Yoros Castle can be visited but only the exterior of the upper castle, entrances to its interior are closed off with metal gates. Too bad, because this is a very nice castle on a great location.

Gallery

Details
Hits: 4441