Yedikule Fortress: the Golden Gate, seven towers and the dungeons
- Museums and palaces
- Yedikule, Fatih
- Paid
Family hotels closest to Yedikule Fortress
Visitor information
| Type | Fortress, museum |
|---|---|
| Built | 1458 (the Byzantine Golden Gate, 4th–5th century) |
| Commissioned by / architect | Mehmed the Conqueror |
| Neighbourhood | Yedikule, Fatih |
| Opening hours | Hours change with the season and the state of restoration |
| Admission | Paid; it may be closed during restoration periods. Check the current situation before you go. |
| Time needed | 1 hour |
| Getting there | 15–20 min by taxi from Sultanahmet; 15 min walk from Marmaray Kazlıçeşme station |
| From Sultanahmet Square | 6.3 km; a long walk, public transport recommended |
| Pushchair / stroller | Difficult; a baby carrier is better. The courtyard is earth and grass; steep stairs lead up to the towers and walls |
| Best time | On a cool afternoon; there is little shade on the walls |
Opening hours and prices can change; check the official website before you go. Map links open in Google Maps.
From the Golden Gate to Yedikule
The Golden Gate (Porta Aurea) was the great marble-clad gate through which Byzantine emperors made their ceremonial entry into the city after victories. The gate was incorporated into the walls when the land walls were built under Theodosius II in the 5th century. Five years after the conquest, Mehmed the Conqueror added three more towers to four towers of the walls, creating an inner fortress; the seven towers (yedi kule) also gave the neighbourhood its name.
From treasury to dungeon
In its early years the fortress served as the state treasury and archive. It later became a prison where foreign envoys and high officials were held. The young Sultan Osman II died here in 1622. The inscriptions carved by prisoners on the walls of the towers can still be seen today.
Visiting and getting there
Yedikule is about 6 kilometres from Sultanahmet, 15–20 minutes by taxi. By public transport, it is about a 15-minute walk along the walls from Kazlıçeşme station on the Marmaray line. Some sections of the walls have no railings; always hold small children by the hand. After the fortress you can walk north along the land walls or towards the fish restaurants of Samatya.
Visiting tips
- Check whether the museum is open before you go; there have been long periods when it was closed for restoration.
- There are places on the walls without railings; keep small children close to you.
- Bring water and a hat; there is little shade inside the fortress and few café options.
Our family hotels near Yedikule Fortress
Walking times are approximate and measured from the hotel door; where the hotel gives its own time, we show that.
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Sareban Hotel
Yedikule Fortress: 77 min walk (5.4 km) Walking route
An alcohol-free family hotel in Küçük Ayasofya, looking out to the Marmara
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Seven Roses Apart Hotel
Yedikule Fortress: 77 min walk (5.4 km) Walking route
Apartments with kitchens in Küçük Ayasofya, with roomy options for larger families
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Green Life Apart Hotel
Yedikule Fortress: 77 min walk (5.4 km) Walking route
Family-run apartments with kitchenettes and a sea-view roof terrace in Küçük Ayasofya
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Emirhan Inn Hotel
Yedikule Fortress: 78 min walk (5.5 km) Walking route
A budget-friendly hotel with free breakfast in Küçük Ayasofya
Frequently asked questions
Is Yedikule Fortress open?
Yedikule Fortress opens to visitors as a museum, but it may close during restoration periods. We recommend checking the current situation before you go.
How do you get to Yedikule from Sultanahmet?
It takes 15–20 minutes by taxi. By public transport you can take the Marmaray from Sirkeci, get off at Kazlıçeşme and walk about 15 minutes along the walls.
