A tunnel was found during the ongoing works at Rumeli Hisarı in Sarıyer. The mysterious tunnel was reflected on cameras for the first time.
IBB Heritage, which is one of the unique beauties of Istanbul with its location overlooking the Bosphorus, historical importance, architecture and nearly 600 years of testimony; IBB Heritage, which continues its restoration works in Rumeli Hisarı, the heirloom of Fatih Sultan Mehmet to the city, discovered the tunnel structure under the Hisar in the 571st year of the great conquest. The discovered tunnel was photographed for the first time.
First findings recorded in the tunnel discovery
A barrel vaulted upper cover, arched openings and bricks dating to the 19th century were the first findings in the tunnel. Due to its general characteristics, it is estimated that the tunnel was a waterway line-drainage channel. A 1949 cadastral drawing shows that the tunnel entrance is connected to Kale Ağası Street from the border of Hisar by a line that is likely to be a waterway. An 1845 map shows that the waters on the ridges of Rumeli Hisarı are connected to the Kanlıkavak Stream (Kheimarrous Stream). The bricks stamped “S.P.”, which are estimated to be from the 19th century, indicate that the structure underwent various repairs in the 19th century.
Work continues in Hisar
Rumeli Hisarı had last undergone a comprehensive restoration between 1953-55. After this restoration, which was commemorated by important women architects of the Republican history such as Cahide Tamer, Selma Emler and Mualla Eyüboğlu Anhegger, a new restoration process started in 2021. In the project approved by the Scientific Committee, a restoration process including conservation and maintenance work was planned for Hisar. It was stated that Çandarlı Halil Pasha, Saruca Pasha and Zağanos Towers, the walls on the sea front, the towers and walls on the land side were restored with original materials and traditional techniques in line with universal conservation principles. In the new period of Rumeli Hisarı, which can only be visited in the museum area until today, the gates of the three towers named after the important names of the period of Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror, Çandarlı Halil Pasha, Zağanos Pasha and Saruca Pasha, will be opened to Istanbulites for the first time.
“You have to think that Mehmet the Conqueror used this place as a military garrison and logistics base during the days of the conquest”
Giving information about the restoration works and the tunnel, IBB Deputy Secretary General Mahir Polat said, “Today, we are faced with a find that triggered the social and military history of a structure that we always pay attention to during the restoration works and that attracted great public attention. During the restoration, you see the findings of an underground passage, which we know to be 125 meters long in a vertical section, but which we guess was separated by other channels and branches inside. This is a very important find that should be recognized as a medieval structure. Because as you know, one year after the conquest of Istanbul, the Middle Ages were to end. It is seen that the canal was designed as a very ambitious passage corridor, starting with a height of 1-1.5 meters and reaching up to 4-4.5 meters in the cistern section inside the city wall. It is seen that the body walls have the same rubble knitting system as the construction technique during the construction of the fortress, and the upper cover was repaired from time to time until the early 1900s at certain points. After this stage, it will be possible to make further interpretations in the later stages with mortar analysis, material analysis and construction technique analysis with the working method we call archaeometry. If we make a brief comment when we see it in its current state, it is understood that the structure saw some military needs. Take a moment 572 years ago, where you are standing now, the Ottoman armies are trying to build a structure here and there is no fortress here yet. There are the remains of a monastery structure that we know from Evliya Çelebi. They have a transit network where you use all the infrastructure data. In other words, you are building a fortification on top of the points where the monastic structures were used on the ridges and connected by certain passages, which still have a place in the public consciousness as secret passages. There are also different finds inside, which we will share with the public in the coming days. We know that there are structures similar to this structure in this region as you descend from the ridges towards the sea. There are historical photographs showing that there were 6 other buildings in the 1920s in the Aşiyan cemetery, which is right next to us. Today, we know that there are also moving structures under Boğaziçi University. You have to think that Mehmet the Conqueror used this place as a military garrison and logistics base during the days of the conquest. This is not a land where all sides were under Ottoman rule, you need to have a military garrison as well as a cistern and water tank in such a situation. After this stage, scientific research and historical interpretations will continue. We are talking about a structure that spontaneously emerged that day in the 571st year of the conquest and tried to show itself to us. May it be auspicious in terms of World History. When the restoration is finished, we will make it suitable for people to visit.”
About Rumeli Fortress
The construction of the Rumeli Fortress began in 1452, shortly before the conquest of Istanbul, and was completed in about 4 months. An important example of 15th century defense structures, the Citadel was built in a wide valley connecting two hills from the coast to the north. Saruca Pasha, Çandarlı Halil Pasha and Zağanos Pasha Towers, named after Fatih’s three viziers, are among the prominent parts of the Citadel.
Rumeli Hisar, which has been known as “Kal’a-i Cedîd”, “Kulle-i Cedîde”, “Yenicehisar”, “Yenihisar”, “Boğazkesen Castle”, “Boğazkesen Hisarı”, “Nikhisar” (Güzelhisar) and “Başkesen Hisarı” until today, completed its duty of providing security in the Bosphorus with the conquest of Istanbul in 1453. Gradually losing its strategic importance, the structure gained functions such as a gunpowder house, arsenal and state prison in the following periods.
Rumeli Hisarı, which has been repaired many times due to the damages caused by centuries and natural disasters, underwent the most comprehensive restoration between 1953-55; after this restoration, it was made available to the city residents as a “museum”. After an interval of nearly 70 years, Rumeli Hisarı, which was restored in 2021, is preparing to return to urban life as a museum and a center of attraction focused on culture and arts.
