Garipce Castle

Garipçe Castle was built on the rocks in the bay called Lykion Limen (Lycian Harbor) in ancient times. It is made of masonry brick and masonry stone materials by carving the rocks on the shore. Since it was on a hill overlooking the Bosphorus and on the rocks, it could not be invaded and prevented the passage of the enemies. In terms of its location, the castle offers a view of both the Bosphorus and the Black Sea. There are bastions at short intervals on the walls. In addition, there are small-sized, barrel-arched observation windows placed at regular intervals along the wall.

Garipçe Castle is the third castle of the Bosphorus after Kilyos and Rumeli Feneri Castles. The entrance of the castle is on the northwest side. The spilled parts of the castle were repaired with reinforced concrete material. The castle was also used by the Turkish Armed Forces for a while. Traces of the artillery can still be seen in the castle. Although the castle has survived until today, it was left to its own devices due to indifference. Slums have risen under the walls.

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Features of Garipce Castle

Baron De Tott, who was appointed to bring the defense system of the Bosphorus to a modern level, found the distance between Rumeli Hisarı and Anadolu Hisarı to be long, and suggested that two castles should be built close to each other. This proposal was accepted by the Ottoman administration, and Garipçe Cape and Poyrazköy Cape were chosen as the two places to build a castle, thus enabling the gun ranges to reach a level that could cross fire. A mosque was also built inside the castle.

There are cannon battlements on the 4 meter high walls sitting on the terrace in the castle. On the same axes as these gratings, there are second row cannon gratings in the upper row, the separator partitions of which are separated by bricks. The side walls in the entrance courtyard of the castle stand firmly under the ground level.

Where is Garipce Castle?

Garipçe Castle is located within the borders of Garipçe Village in Sarıyer district on the European side of Istanbul. You can click on the link to see the location of Aydos Castle on the map.

What to Do in Garipce Castle?

If you go to Garipçe Castle, you can see many artifacts from the Byzantine and Ottoman periods in Garipçe Village. There is a watchtower on the highest hill of the village. But the date of construction and the architect of the building are unknown. In the place known as Büyük Liman, there are ruined houses as well as a bath, church and semi-solid castle wall.

There was a shipyard in the Grand Harbor during the Ottoman period. However, no remains of the shipyard are found today. From the inscription of the fountain by the sea, you can get the information that this fountain was built for the shipyard by Hasan Pasha in 1199. The Soğuksu Fountain and the Hacının Suyu Fountain are among the historical monuments you can see.

If you are looking for a place to see and visit other than historical monuments, you can visit Rumelifeneri, the village right next to Garipçe. You can ride a horse at Atlıtur Garden in Seanergy Beach located here. You can shake off your tiredness in the hammocks here. If you are going during the summer season, the beach of Seabeach is also very popular.

How to Go to Garipce Castle?

You can go to Garipçe Castle in the most comfortable and fastest way with your private car or rental car. You cross the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge by following the O-6 highway. After crossing the Ecological Bridge, you take the Garipçe Village exit. You reach Garipçe Village by following the sign. At the end of the village, you can see the Garipçe Castle in the harbor area. If you want to go by public transport, you can reach the village by taking the bus number 150, which departs from Hacıosman metro station.