Located within borders of Sarıyer district and gave its name to the location, covering 30.000 m2 area. There is a monument-art built in the narrowest and flowing(600m) section of the Istanbul Bosphoreus just opposite Anadoluhisarı. Although it is known that the region was called "Hermaion" in ancient ages, historian Dukas does not mention this and indicates the location of the castle hill side of mountain known as Fonea down "Sostenion(İstinye). The names of Rumelihisar are : Kulle-i Cedide in Fatih Charities; Yenice Hisar in Neşri period history; Boğazkesen Castle in Kemalpaşazade, Aşıkpşazade and Nişancı histories. Although Dukas confused about the names and used as Kefalokoptis, no one else except him used this name.
According to two inscriptions in Büyük Zağanos Tower and Küçük Zağanos Pasha Tower, the castle was built in about four month perion which is a considerably short period. The art book called "Şerh-i Tecriiyd-i Ataik" in süleymaniye Library, it is said that the building had been completed in (139) days.
The timbers used in building were from İzmit and Black sea Ereğli; the stones were from various plces of Anatolia and spolis are from destroyed Byzantine buildings locatd around.
In some histories it has been stated that 1000 masters, 2000 workers and many transporters were employed in building but Architect E.H. Ayverdi states that approximately 300 masters, 700-800 worers and 200 transporters, boats, vehicles etc were employed.
Mortary volume of the building covering 60.000 m2 area is about 57.700 m3. Mountain Gate, Dizdar Gate, Hisarpençe Gate and Sel Gate are four main gates and it also has a secondary gate called Mezarlık Gate.
It has Saruca Pasha, Halil Pasha and Zağanos Pasha, three old and junior Zağanas Pasha, one small and totally four towers; 13 castles in various sizes.
It has two water ducts, one is blocked, three fountains two of which are lost. Only one destroyed minarette from the mosque remained until present time.
The building was considerably damaged from 1509 earthquake but repaireed promptly. It is known that it was also repaired during Selim III(1789-1807). But essential repair was made by architect Mrs Cahide Tamer, Mrs. Selma Emler and Mrs. Mualla Arhegger-Eyüboğlu upon directive of President Mr. Celal Bayar in 1953.
Open exhibition is made in the museum, but there is no exhibition hall and store house. Artilleries, shot and the chains which was claimed be used in blocking o Haliç(Golden Horn) are exhibited in the garden.
Rumelihisarı Museum
Open between 09.00-16.30 everyday except Wednesdays.
Yahya Kemal cad. No: 42 80830
Rumelihisarı-Istanbul
Tel: 0-212-2635305
Fax: 0-212-2650410